Bishop Joins Car-Sharing Club

Bishop Nicholas has joined a co-operative car club with branches across the West Country to give a boost to greener – and cheaper – driving.

Co-cars is a co-operative social enterprise with cars available for members to use in Blandford Forum, Dorchester, Salisbury and Weymouth, and more vehicles in seven other towns and cities across the West Country from Somerset to Cornwall. The cars are parked in convenient locations either in town and city centres or near railway stations.

Bishop Nicholas, who is the Church of England’s lead on the environment, said,  “Cutting down on the environmental impact of driving has got to be good for all of us, and the cost savings for people who don’t clock up many driving miles look pretty impressive too.

“I used a Co-cars vehicle yesterday to drive to Evensong for the Friends of Wiltshire Churches at Farley. Booking the car, collecting, and returning it, could not have been simpler.”

Benji Goehl, a Director of Co-Cars, added,  “We estimate joining a car club is cheaper than running a car for people who drive around 8,000 miles a year or less. Members of Co-cars have the choice to pay per hour or per day to use the cars, and there is also a charge of 15p per mile – and this includes petrol. Car clubs really are the way forward for people who don’t need to drive every day. We also have excellent value packages for businesses and non-profit organisations.

“Just imagine being able to drive without having to worry about the cost of insurance, MOTs or maintenance, and getting roadside recovery into the bargain.

“As we’re a co-operative social enterprise, we re-invest all our profits into making our services better for our members.

“People can find out more by visiting our website at www.co-cars.co.uk.”