Last Saturday saw the start of TravelWise Week, a national event showcasing the benefits of active and sustainable transport.
The county council is using this year’s theme, ‘sharing gets you further’, to highlight how different ways of sharing can reduce traffic congestion and travel costs, while improving air quality and people’s health.
West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Highways, Bob Lanzer, said: “Sharing could be something as basic as telling other people what time a train departs, or where the nearest bus stop is, to help decide the best options when making a journey.”
The council’s online journey planner, travelwestsussex.co.uk , displays route information, journey times, carbon savings, and real-time public transport information.
Cllr Lanzer added: “The sharing of car journeys has obvious financial benefits, but these are often underestimated. Data from West Sussex County Council’s car share matching service shows that regular car sharers typically save between £500 and £1,000 per person per year.
“There are also the social benefits – spending time with people on a shared journey can help us feel happier and more secure. It’s good for your wellbeing.
“Almost 6,000 people are currently registered with the car share matching service, which is completely free to use, so the chance of finding a match is high.”
To join, visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/carsharing
Car clubs offer a different form of car sharing where cars are available for members to hire by the hour through an online booking system.
Further information about these and other sustainable travel initiatives in West Sussex is available at www.westsussex.gov.uk/travelwise
The council is also supporting Cycle September, a national initiative that encourages workers to get their bikes out and go for a ride.
Points are awarded for every ride logged on the Cycle September website, regardless of whether it’s a journey to work or a leisure trip. Points can also be earned by encouraging colleagues to take part. You can find out more at lovetoride.net