Led By: Carplus UK Ltd; Leeds
Contact: Philip Igoe
Tel. +44 (0)113 234 9299
email philip@carclubs.org.uk

Introduction
Although Leeds was one of the first cities in the UK to have a car club, it was limited by being run on a voluntary base.  The Target 2 funded project, managed by Carplus, seeks to develop a more comprehensive car club with plans to create a new city-wide scheme for Leeds that attracts individuals, companies and housing developments, and linking it with public transport use for 'other' journeys.  The main elements are:

• Set up a Leeds based car club
• Joint promotions and ticketing with public transport operators
• Car stations incorporated as an integral part of new city centre developments
• Participation of large employers

ACTIVITY UPDATES:-

The University of Leeds and WhizzGo promote green travel on campus,  June 2005
The University of Leeds has joined forces with car club operator WhizzGo to offer its 6,500 staff cars to drive at work for business use at no cost to themselves.

The University is the first academic institution in the country to sign up its staff for membership of a car club as part of its Green Transport Plan. The scheme was launched by Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Diane Shorrocks-Taylor at Michael Sadler Court at  the University on Tuesday 28 June.  

Professor Shorrocks-Taylor, chair of the University’s environmental committee said, “The University is delighted to have WhizzGo cars on our campus. This offers a practical and environmentally beneficial initiative for staff to get to meetings and to work off campus. It builds on successes achieved in our Green Transport Plan and provides a real choice for staff who do not own a car and for those who would otherwise have had to drive their own car to work just to use it on University business.”

WhizzGo works by offering its members 1.4 litre, five-door Citroën C3s to hire by the hour from just £3.95 an hour, including fuel, insurance, maintenance and recovery. Members book cars on the internet at www.WhizzGo.co.uk or by phone at 0870 446 6000. The University will pay for business trips by staff but staff can also join the scheme for personal use.

 Research by Carplus, the car club charity based in Leeds, shows that car club members drive less and use public transport, walk and cycle more. For each car club vehicle on the road up to 10 privately owned cars are taken off the road, reducing pollution and congestion.

Charlotte Morton, managing director of WhizzGo, said: “The University of Leeds is showing a far-sighted example to other major institutions. Everyone knows that there are too many cars on the road, fuel costs are increasing and global warming is going to affect us all. Using WhizzGo cars is a practical way for an individual to save money and save the planet while still enjoying the flexibility and convenience of driving.”

 WhizzGo focus on Chappel Allerton
WhizzGo, the Leeds based car club and Metro joined forces at the weekend to promote sustainable transport in Chapel Allerton.  A WhizzGo double-decker bus from First, was parked near the parking bays and decorated with balloons for maximum attention.  The  WhizzGo team were on hand to talk to residents about the way they travel within the region.

As well as having the usual membership and discounted MetroCard on offer.  WhizzGo is also offering residents who join before the end of January the opportunity to try out the scheme for free by giving £25 of free drive time.  There was much interest from the public with several people having already signed up.

WhizzGo are featured in the January edition of the Carplus newsletter Winter 2004/05 through related links section.

Free Champagne, 4-6 November 2004
The WhizzGo team were hard at work for the promotional week- end that took place in central Leeds.  A bottle of champagne was presented to everyone who signed up for membership on the day.  The event was well attended and attracted lots of attention.

To accompany this promotion, any member who recommends someone to WhizzGo who signs up, will also be given a free bottle of champagne.

WhizzGo Newsletter, October 2004
WhizzGo membership is gradually on the increase with over 50 members in the ten weeks.  Now members can be kept informed about news and events through their newly launched newsletter.  Download through the related link.

Car Club Launched in Leeds, July 2004
WhizzGo Car Club has been officially launched here in Leeds.  Through the Target 2 project, WhizzGo, Metro and Leeds City Council have been working together to bring this unique opportunity to Leeds - a car club that is fully integrated with a county wide public transport network and cycling links of the city.  Colin Challen MP (pictured) and Deputy Lord Mayor of Leeds Cllr Brenda Lancaster were among the 70 guests who celebrated the launch. 

Drivers who join WhizzGo are eligible for a 15% reduction on the cost of an annual MetroCard, which can be used on buses and trains across West Yorkshire.  When they need a car, they will drive the brand new Citroen C3 available at bays in the heart of Leeds and suburb of Chappel Allerton.  Leeds City Council having provided the specially designed car parking bays.

Target partners in Bremen provided set-up and Smartcard technological advice,  helped to bring this sustainable travel option to the city.  Their experience in Europe suggests that drivers save money by joining a car club and help reduce city pollution and congestion problems. 
For information contact www.whizzgo.co.uk or phone 0870 446 6000. 

WhizzGo appointed as car club operator in Leeds, May 2004
The last two months has seen the car club project complete a comprehensive  procurement process for the operation of the citywide car club.  After several frustrating delays, we have finally appointed WhizzGo as the operator for the scheme.  Preparations for the launch in August are now full-steam ahead.

Advice for the procurement process was taken from partner countries Bremen and Odense.

Car Club Moooooves forward, August 2003
A major promotional campaign has begun in earnest to raise awareness about the forthcoming car club in Leeds.  And the star of the show is none other that Carla the Car Club Cow!

That's right. Carla is busy doing a promotional tour of Leeds spreading the good word about the project and persuading people to think about the alternative ways to travel.

Carla's message.... "If you need a glass of milk, do you go out and buy a cow? No? So why buy a car when all you need to do is drive?"

Information seminar for 'the people of influence', Sept 2003
Getting to the right people is one of the most important factors in a venture this size.  To generate initial interest Carplus invited stakeholders, councillors, local authority decision makers, local business and developers to an introduction seminar at Leeds Civic Centre.  Guest speakers provided the backing and encouragement to progress a car club initiative in the city of Leeds.   

Carplus introduction, March 2003
The lead body for the car club work package is Carplus - the car club network www.carclubs.org.uk  is a “not for profit” organisation which works with communities, local authorities and partner organisations that are working together to support the development of car share clubs. 

Car clubs are a great way of enjoying the flexibility of using a car without having to own one. They work like renting a car, but the cars are based locally and can be hired for as little as an hour. Car clubs can have both environmental and social benefits: as well as giving access to a car to those unable to afford one.  Experience in Europe shows that car club members make more use of local facilities and reduce their car mileage by half, replacing these with more journeys by public transport, cycling or on foot.