Sir - I read the series of articles on Dublin's traffic problems with interest (The Irish Times, January x-xx). Our company has begun a very small contribution to the solving of urban traffic problems in Dublin through the introduction of a car-sharing scheme, entitled the Co-op Car Club, which has been operating since May 1997. Initial financial support came from the EU and the Dublin Transportation Office, but it is now trying to cover its costs.
Our company is also involved with telematics and teleworking projects and operates a small telecottage and customer call centre from our base in Co Clare. These facilities enable us to carry out the administration and bookings for the Co-op Car Club in Dublin through a Dublin telephone number for enquiries and a local 1890 number for bookings.
The Co-op Car Club is based on a very successful model developed over the past 10 years in Germany and Switzerland. Instead of people owning their own cars, they join such a scheme, which has a fleet of cars located throughout an area in groups of two, three or more at each "car station". Although schemes start small and it takes time to achieve a critical mass, the German and Swiss schemes have shown that people are able to change their use of cars and make more use of cycling and public transport without any significant reduction in their mobility.
Essentially, they use cars for trips which are not possible by any other mode and pay only for their actual use of the cars, which can be hired for as little as an hour. They do not have capital tied up in the loan repayments or annual depreciation, nor do they have the trouble of maintaining, insuring and parking the cars. This type of scheme is also suitable for replacing the second car in a household and providing a service for small businesses.
Although still at a very early stage with only three cars located at two "car stations" both within two miles of the city centre, we hope to extend the locations and the number of cars in line with demand, which is closely monitored. Membership is available to individuals, households and companies. Should people wish to learn more about the scheme, we can be contacted at (01) 661 4412. - Is mise,
From Graham Lightfoot
Co-op Car Club, Scariff, Co Clare.