Developer supports Pay-As-You-Go Car Launch
Liverpool's new car club, WhizzGo, will hit the ground running with a major city centre developer signing up to offer free membership to anyone buying an apartment.
Property developer Space will give lifetime memberships to all new residents of Westminster Chambers, Crosshall Street, in Liverpool city centre and the opportunity to try the cars free of charge for six months.
WhizzGo will roll out a fleet of 50 cars over the next five years after their official launch on Saturday, 22nd July. The initiative is part of the Local Transport Plan 2006-2011, drawn up by the partnership of Merseytravel and the five Merseyside authorities, focusing on improving transport links, reducing congestion and pollution, and helping people to TravelWise.
The partnership between Liverpool City Council and operating company WhizzGo offers cars to hire by the hour across the city centre. Each car has its own private on street parking bay, so there are no parking headaches when you return your WhizzGo car and all the bays are based in key city centre locations, easily accessible by public transport.
Councillor Peter Millea, Liverpool City Council's Executive Member for Regeneration and Transport said:
"To receive such strong and confident commercial backing for Liverpool's new car club is a great boost for the initiative and we are delighted that Space have come on board.
"The Car Club scheme forms an important part of the Local Transport Plan, and will link in with existing services across Merseyside to ensure that residents have the best possible transport network.
"We see car clubs as a vital part of tackling congestion in Liverpool and reducing the demand for residential parking. They offer practical, cost effective access to a car when needed, complementing public transport, walking and cycling."
Businesses or individuals can sign up for the scheme by purchasing a smart card to access the cars for £25, and paying a fully refundable insurance deposit of £125. Cars can then be hired out for leisure or business use for no more than £4.95 an hour by simply booking over the phone or online. There are no annual or monthly membership charges - you only pay when you use a car with significantly reduced rates for weekend and evening coverage. Once you are a member, you can then use a WhizzGo car in Liverpool, Leeds, London, Brighton, Southampton, and other UK cities and you can pick up your car at any time of the day or night.
It is estimated that using a WhizzGo car could save you over £2,500 a year taking into account depreciation, insurance and tax and that is before you have bought any petrol. The same figure could buy over 600 hours of WhizzGo car time, or 12 hours a week, inclusive of all costs and an allowance for fuel. One car club vehicle could replace six private cars, so the scheme saves you money, eases congestion and helps the environment. Each WhizzGo car is brand new, cleaned regularly, and has 24 hour breakdown cover and air conditioning.
Charlotte Morton, Managing Director of WhizzGo said:
"We are delighted to have won the contract to operate in Liverpool, and believe we can provide a valuable service to the city."
To register for WhizzGo, visit www.WhizzGo.co.uk (will open a new window) or call 0870 4466 000.