A busy family life, running his son to football practice and too-expensive-to-run two cars – these are just some of the reasons why Jim Turner from Boughton in Chester is the latest member of the City Car Club.
Lord Mayor of Chester Jill Houlbrook joined members from the car club at the Castle Square car park to learn more about the flexible alternative to running your own car.
Jim was the first person to get one of the 100 free memberships during the day’s special promotion, joining the scheme for the flexibility it offers, with cars available at Brook Street car park, Trinity Street as well as the Castle Square car park.
Residents and businesses are able to join the scheme and annual personal car club membership is £60. After joining the car club, members can then book a vehicle via the City Car Club website or mobile app.
Once the vehicle has been booked, simply swipe the membership card across the car windscreen to unlock the doors.
The membership card will also unlock the keys from the glove box and then the car is ready to use. After use, the car is returned to the same bay it was picked it up from, ready for the next driver.
The cars can be booked for just an hour, a full day or for however long they are needed. The club takes care of insurance, fuel, tax, servicing, and even cleaning, so all you have to do is drive them away.
Cllr Lynn Riley, executive member for localities, said: “Using these cars can make a real difference to our environment and help relieve congestion.
“Research shows that up to 24 cars are taken off the road for each car club vehicle, as people give up their own car or choose not to buy one.”
For further information visit www.citycarclub.co.uk . For details about smarter ways to travel, visit the itravelsmart.co.uk website.
