Workplace Travel Plans
The Travel Plan Toolkit » Options for Car Users
THE PLACE OF CARS
The first rule of any travel plan is they are not designed to be anti-car! A good travel plan will provide realistic alternatives to the car, making alternatives to driving alone more attractive whilst reducing the overall need to travel.
For some people, the car is their only realistic option due to where they live or family commitments, but many will commute to work in their cars out of habit, being unaware of the other feasible options available to them.
The true cost of owning, insuring and maintaining a car is not generally recognised by drivers, and as such many are under the impression that public transport is more expensive than using the car. However, with £1 in every £6 being spent on motoring in the UK, the actual cost of keeping a car on the road is far higher than people think!
CAR SHARING
Car-sharing is when there is more than one occupant in a private car. It allows people to benefit from the convenience of the car, whilst alleviating the associated problems of congestion and pollution. Car sharing can halve the fuel used to get one employee to work and reduce costs accordingly and it provides an opportunity for colleagues to talk and creates a more relaxed, less stressful journey.
Car sharing can be as flexible as required with people choosing if they want to be the driver, passenger, or both. They can mix and match to account for shift patterns, people taking leave, etc. and involvement in a scheme can be on a regular or ad hoc basis. Businesses can either set up their own car share club or register with SuffolkCarShare.com
PARK AND RIDE SCHEMES
Park and Ride schemes involve the use of car parking spaces on the outskirts of town and completing the remainder of the journey by a dedicated bus. There are currently 3 park and rides around Ipswich at London Road, Bury Road and Martlesham. All three sites have secure fencing, are well lit, regularly patrolled during opening hours and covered by 24 hour CCTV.
USING TAXIS AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES
Taxis are important for those who do not have access to a car and when public transport does not run, for example during the early hours of the morning or last thing at night.
Taxi sharing could be an alternative way of splitting the cost of travelling by taxi. Taxi sharing operates in the same way as car sharing, cycle and walk buddies. Employees who live in close proximity or who are on the same route to work and work pattern could share a taxi to work.
