Shropshire's first Pay-As-You-Go Car Scheme

Feb. 22, 2013 - PRLog -- The launch is taking place at the Ludlow Local Produce Market on Castle Square from 10am to 3pm. The brand new Co-wheels Ludlow Ford Focus Estate and Fiesta will be there, and Car Club volunteers will be on hand to demonstrate the electronic swipe card technology that operates the Pay-as-you-go system.

Shropshire Co-wheels cars will be ready to book online and drive away from Friday March 1st and there is expected to be a high level of interest from local residents and businesses alike. The joining fee is just £25 and journeys are charged per hour and per mile: a brilliant and cost-effective alternative that provides access to a car without owning one. Drivers need to be aged over 18 and to have held a license for at least a year in order to register to use the cars.

The scheme will save members on capital outlay, servicing, tax, insurance, tyres, and depreciation. as Emma Bullard, Travel Shropshire Promotions Manager, explains:

“This is the ideal solution if you drive less than 8,000 miles a year. Co-wheels Shropshire offers numerous advantages in terms of economic transport, reduced CO2 emissions, and easing of on street parking in our market towns. There is no commitment to remain a member if the scheme doesn’t suit you. We are more than happy for people to just try and see…”

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne has also added his backing to the scheme, saying:

"I am delighted that Ludlow has been chosen to become one of the two pilot towns for this new Shropshire wide community car scheme. I have been encouraging community transport schemes for many years and am convinced that in rural areas like South Shropshire it is schemes like these that can make all the difference to local residents who may not be able to afford to run a car full time."

Those who aren’t able to make it to the launch on Thursday can find out more and sign up online at www.co-wheels.org.uk/shropshire

*The initiative has been made possible through Shropshire Council’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund with a grant obtained from the Department of Transport.Full details. Registration for the club can be found at www.co-wheels.co.uk/shropshire.  It is run by a social enterprise (Shropshire Car Club CIC) for the benefit of the community and depends on buy-in from its members to succeed, with any surplus that the club makes being reinvested in expanding or upgrading the service.

How it works…

Join at www.co-wheels.org.uk/shropshire or by calling 0191 375 1050. You must be 18 or over and have held a licence for 12 months. We will confirm your details with the DVLA and send you your membership smartcard and full information.

Book your time slot online or by phone. It can start any time of day or night, and you can book anytime from 12 months to 1 minute ahead, as long as there’s a car available.

Collect the car from its reserved space. Your membership smartcard opens the car and releases its keys. Drive off.

If you are going to be delayed, let Co-Wheels know – if the car isn’t already booked out you will be able to extend your time slot. If for some reason the car you’ve booked isn’t there, Co-wheels will reimburse the cost of alternative transport to your destination.

Return the car to its parking bay with at least a quarter of a tank of fuel. A fuel card is provided in the car so you don’t have to pay cash for the fuel yourself