Co-cars 'hire by the hour' Car Club launches in Cranbrook
Co-cars, the South West's fast-growing hire by the hour car club, officially launched its first car in Cranbrook today, Friday 4th November 2016 outside the Youunghayes Centre.
Co-cars offers its cars for hire to members, by the hour, with pick-up and return to the specially reserved bays. Members can book 24/7 online or via a smartphone and use a smartcard and PIN to open the car.
The Cranbrook car has been funded jointly by the Cranbrook consortium of developers, Devon County Council and Co-cars.
Mark Hodgson, founder and managing director of Co-cars said, "We are very pleased to be extending the network of the caar club into Cranbrook and giving residents access to cars across our network as well. We focus on supporting the shift from owning to sharing, so members can focus on their life and having a great journey.
It is very affordable, too. Each hire costs from just £3.75 per hour or from £25 for a 24 hour period plus 15 per mile. Fuel, insurance, tax, maintenance and emergency cover are all included so there are no hidden costs. All this for only £25 per household membership (for two adults). It's convenient, clever, and once you 'Co-car it', you won't look back. You'll save a surprising amount of money - up to £3,500 per year for the average household. That goes a long way towards funding a family holiday".
Cllr Stuar Hughes, Devon Couty Council's Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said "We have been working hard to improve sustainable transport options in Exeter, so I am delighted that Co-cars is now extending to include Cranbrook.
This new car will complement the variety of transport options available to the east of the city, and will help cut road congestion, reduce the impact of car emissions and save residents money, which is excellent news.
"Co-cars has played an important role in encouraging commuters to explore alternative travel arrangements, and I am pleased that many people have already become members and are reaping the benefits."
Mike Owen, New Community Partners Consortium said "On behalf of the developers Consortium, we are delighted to support yet another travel option for Cranbrook. Co-cars is the latest addition to the package of sustainable travel chocies for people living and working in Cranbrook. Journeys made by train, bus, cycle, walking and now with a Co-car all help to reduce traffic on Cranbrook roads, as well as saving on carbon emissions."
Councillor Kevin Blakey, Chairman of Cranbrook Town Council said "The availability of a Co-car in Cranbrook is another step forward for our new town. The club provides another low cost transport option for those travelling to or from the town, and membership of the scheme also allows people to use these cars in many other locations across the region. A 2 hour, 10 mile tround trip costs only £9.00 including the insurance, tax and fuel, so for those without their own car, it's an affordable, hassle-free and eco-friendly alternative to the bus, train or a taxi, particulalry for a family group. I hope that this facility will become a great success and that it won't be long before we have more Co-car locations aross Cranbrook".
Notes for editors.
The vehicle, a Toyota Aygo, has a designated bay opposite the Younghayes Centre.
Co-cars are already operating successfully in Exeter, Topsham, Chagford, Barnstaple, Salisbury, Dorchester, Weymouth, Blandford Forum and Falmouth and will soon be establishing cars in Newcourt in Exeter, Plymouth, Newton Abbot, and Truro. Co-cars membership includes access to all Co-cars throughout Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire and Dorset. Co-cars operates the new Co-bikes on street electric bike hire in Exeter.
Co-cars is an Exeter based, not for profit social enterprise which has been running for over 10 years.
For further information on Co-cars visit www.co-cars.co.uk, @Cocars email drive@co-cars.co.uk or call 0345 345 2544
