Shropshire's first pay-as-you-go car scheme launches
The first Co-wheels Car Club in Shropshire has been officially launched with great enthusiasm in Ludlow today.
The scheme gives members the opportunity to hire a fully insured set of wheels, for private or business use, for as little as an hour at a time – and to say goodbye to expensive car tax and insurance bills!
Police Community Support Officer David Bell came along to support and said:
“This is an excellent project for this sort of rural area where people often find it difficult to find reliable transport to other areas…”
The launch took place at the Ludlow Local Produce Market on Castle Square, from 10am to 3pm. Members of the public were very interested in the brand new Co-wheels Ludlow Ford Focus Estate and Fiesta cars that were on display. Car Club volunteers were on hand demonstrating 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. TV & radio came along to the launch, and there was an extremely 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."
To find out more and sign up online visit www.co-wheels.org.uk/shropshire
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