Page last updated at 15:35 GMT, Thursday, January 5 2012

Eastleigh's "pay-as-you-go" Car Club 

This is a fantastic initiative for residents of Eastleigh that offers all the benefits of owning a car, without the expense or hassle.

Eastleigh Borough Council is one of the first local authorities in the UK to get actively involved in the development of a Commonwheels car club which allows users to book a car over the phone or through the internet, for a minimum of half an hour up to however long the car is needed, paying only for the time the vehicle is in use.

There are enormous financial savings to be made for people who choose to give up running a car or choose to give up a second car, for example no insurance, no maintenance and no road tax. There are also environmental benefits as the car club uses the latest low emission vehicles enabling individuals and organisations that use the vehicles to reduce their own carbon footprint.

The two Ford Fiesta ECOnetic vehicles are available for use by local residents, businesses and visitors to the Borough aged 18 or over for personal and business use. The cars cost just £4.50 an hour or £35 per day (24 hours) to use; a price which includes all maintenance, insurance, fuel and road tax and mileage is charged at just 21p per mile, subject to a one off £25 joining fee. The vehicles are located in the car park to Eastleigh Borough Council’s Civic Offices.

Members of the scheme can use any of the Commonwheels vehicles in other locations.

For more information or to join visit: http://www.commonwheels.org.uk/welcome-to-commonwheels/ or telephone 0845 602 8030.
 

Council leader Keith House and Chief Executive Bernie Topham