City Car Club
Encyclopedia
City Car Club is one of the leading car club operators in the UK
. Established in 2000 and with over 500 vehicles, it is the oldest and one of the largest Car Clubs operating at a national scale in the country. Operating a range of low-emissions vehicles, it uses the now standard technologies of online booking and smartcards access to the cars. Billed as "The thinking person's car", the company has received huge press attention, particularly as an example of a unique business thriving during the recent economic downturn. Its activities receive the broad support of academics in the field of sustainable development
, many of whom view car clubs as an important part of the transport mix in a sustainable city.
Relying upon support from local authorities, City Car Club works in partnership with communities, attempting to supplement existing public transport infrastructure and act as an alternative to conventional car ownership.
On 28 August 2009, City Car Club acquired rivals WhizzGo creating the UK's largest network of hourly rental cars.
In 2010 City Car Club added vans to their fleet meaning that members can book a van by the hour in the same way as they do with the cars.
since the late 1990s, most prominently in Switzerland
where the organisation Mobility has more than 58,000 members. Influenced by this and other organisations, City Car Club was established in 2000 in London
and Edinburgh
and now operates in thirteen towns and cities around the UK (see 'Locations').
City Car Club has invested over £1M in hybrid vehicles.]]
It is estimated that the average British
car owner spends between £3000 and £4000 per annum on tax, maintenance and other costs; and government initiatives such as the UK Commission for Integrated Transport, as well as NGOs including the Campaign for Better Transport, have cited car club membership as a valid way of reducing car ownership and the resulting congestion
and pollution
problems.
), membership number, and four-digit PIN
. They can then log on to the Car Club Website to browse vehicle locations and book vehicles. Alternatively members may call the 'Clubhouse' to book over the phone. Members can extend their booking while it is under way using the on-board computer, provided the vehicle is available for the time specified. When the fuel gauge reaches 1/4, members are asked to fill the tank using the fuel card
supplied in an information folder with each vehicle.
The strategic acquisition marked the first major consolidation within the UK car club industry and secured City Car Club's leading position - with 500 cars in 13 cities and a membership base of 20,000.
Press coverage
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Established in 2000 and with over 500 vehicles, it is the oldest and one of the largest Car Clubs operating at a national scale in the country. Operating a range of low-emissions vehicles, it uses the now standard technologies of online booking and smartcards access to the cars. Billed as "The thinking person's car", the company has received huge press attention, particularly as an example of a unique business thriving during the recent economic downturn. Its activities receive the broad support of academics in the field of sustainable development
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
, many of whom view car clubs as an important part of the transport mix in a sustainable city.
Relying upon support from local authorities, City Car Club works in partnership with communities, attempting to supplement existing public transport infrastructure and act as an alternative to conventional car ownership.
On 28 August 2009, City Car Club acquired rivals WhizzGo creating the UK's largest network of hourly rental cars.
In 2010 City Car Club added vans to their fleet meaning that members can book a van by the hour in the same way as they do with the cars.
Origins
Car sharing and car clubs have been a popular choice of motorists in Central EuropeCentral Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
since the late 1990s, most prominently in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
where the organisation Mobility has more than 58,000 members. Influenced by this and other organisations, City Car Club was established in 2000 in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
and now operates in thirteen towns and cities around the UK (see 'Locations').
City Car Club has invested over £1M in hybrid vehicles.]]
It is estimated that the average British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
car owner spends between £3000 and £4000 per annum on tax, maintenance and other costs; and government initiatives such as the UK Commission for Integrated Transport, as well as NGOs including the Campaign for Better Transport, have cited car club membership as a valid way of reducing car ownership and the resulting congestion
Traffic congestion
Traffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction...
and pollution
Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light...
problems.
Membership
Upon joining, members are issued with a 'smart card' (or London members can use their Oyster CardOyster card
The Oyster card is a form of electronic ticketing used on public transport services within the Greater London area of the United Kingdom. It is promoted by Transport for London and is valid on a number of different travel systems across London including London Underground, buses, the Docklands...
), membership number, and four-digit PIN
Personal identification number
A personal identification number is a secret numeric password shared between a user and a system that can be used to authenticate the user to the system. Typically, the user is required to provide a non-confidential user identifier or token and a confidential PIN to gain access to the system...
. They can then log on to the Car Club Website to browse vehicle locations and book vehicles. Alternatively members may call the 'Clubhouse' to book over the phone. Members can extend their booking while it is under way using the on-board computer, provided the vehicle is available for the time specified. When the fuel gauge reaches 1/4, members are asked to fill the tank using the fuel card
Fuel card
A fuel card or fleet card is used as a payment card most commonly for gasoline, diesel and other fuels at gas stations. Fleet cards can also be used to pay for vehicle maintenance and expenses at the discretion of the fleet owner or manager. The use of a fleet card also eliminates the need for...
supplied in an information folder with each vehicle.
Acquisition of WhizzGo
On 28 August 2009, City Car Club acquired one of their competitors, WhizzGo, creating the UK's largest network of hourly rental cars.The strategic acquisition marked the first major consolidation within the UK car club industry and secured City Car Club's leading position - with 500 cars in 13 cities and a membership base of 20,000.
Withdrawal of WhizzGo services
On 23 November 2009, City Car Club announced via an email to its members that the former WhizzGo service in Liverpool would be withdrawn effective 1 December 2009, when the existing club contract with Liverpool City Council expires. Citing operational problems including vandalism, lack of opportunities for expansion and problems with blocked parking bays, the club declined to participate in the local tender process for future car club operations.Locations
City Car Club operates cars and vans in the following UK towns and cities:- Bath
- Birmingham
- Brighton and Hove
- Bristol
- Cardiff
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- Huddersfield
- Leeds
- London
- Manchester
- Sheffield
- Southampton
- York
See also
- Car Sharing
- Hybrid VehicleHybrid vehicleA hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
- Campaign for Better Transport
- UK Commission for Integrated Transport
External links
Official WebsitePress coverage
- Car club to fight congestion - BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
- Going Green - BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Midlands - Share don't buy. Drivers embrace car-based transport solution - Guardian UnlimitedGuardian Unlimitedguardian.co.uk, formerly known as Guardian Unlimited, is a British website owned by the Guardian Media Group. Georgina Henry is the editor...
Business - Is it worth joining a car club? - Guardian UnlimitedGuardian Unlimitedguardian.co.uk, formerly known as Guardian Unlimited, is a British website owned by the Guardian Media Group. Georgina Henry is the editor...
- Why I Love... 'Transport Blending' - Guardian UnlimitedGuardian Unlimitedguardian.co.uk, formerly known as Guardian Unlimited, is a British website owned by the Guardian Media Group. Georgina Henry is the editor...