A pay-as-you-go car hire company has seen a boost in rental numbers since the world's economy took a turn for the worst.WhizzGo car hire operates in Sheffield and has seen a rise in business due to a public bid to save money and the environment.
Liz Gray, Area manager of the company said: "The credit crunch has made more people, businesses and residents, aware of their outgoings, and look for places that they could save money. The increased oil prices, especially before Christmas, added to this affect.
"We are therefore seeing an increase, month on month, in the number of people joining WhizzGo, as they like the service for the cost saving it can offer."
The company operates a non contact system where customers pay for a low emission vehicle by the hour. The card style key and pin number used to start the car, is purchased via telephone or the web.
In total there are eight designated hire spaces in the city and customers simply return their vehicle to the parking bay when their time is up. Hourly rates start from £5.99 depending on the model of the vehicle.
Firstly, customers have to register to become a member, and then they can choose the cars location and the time duration. Although a lot of private members use the service, 50% of WhizzGo's custom comes from businesses.
Yet the firm believes that its increase in members is down to environmental awareness, as congestion and pollution are increasing across city centres and the average car is used for just 7% of the time.
"The increase has been aided by the financial situation, but recognition of car clubs, and their growth, would have happened organically regardless.
"Using WhizzGo gives all the freedom associated with a private car, but with far fewer costs, much more convenience and far less damage to the environment."
Alternatively fuelled vehicles are also something that the company want to introduce to the fleet as well as integrating their transport with the councils public transport services.
The council offer a car sharing regime where the public can register online to find others that they may be able to car share with.
Duncan McIntyre, Workplace Travel Plan Officer for the council thinks that it is a more realistic option for commuters who live in rural areas. He said: "Car sharing saves money while allowing the flexibility of the car journey. One more car off the road is good for congestion and the environment and is a foot in the door in terms of travel behaviour change.
In response to teaming up with WhizzGo to provide integrated public transport, McIntyre said: "That's very much a 'depends'. That kind of thing is something we would consider but it wouldn't necessarily be WhizzGo that we would do it with."
Image aquired from: http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Money/Pix/pictures/2007/11/08/WhizzGoC.jpg
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