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Shared Travel

How can I launch a shared travel project?

Shared travel is defined as transport used by more than one person/group of people simultaneously e.g. trains, buses, coaches. It can also refer to shared transport resources e.g. EV chargers, lift sharing in private cars. This section focuses on shared transport in general, but there is a separate resource pack specifically focusing on EVs.

Step 1: Idea

Decide what aspect of shared travel you would like to work on in your community, and which communities you would like to benefit. Examples include:

Step 2: Planning and Costing

Create a plan, consisting of:

  1. The work necessary to complete the project
  2. The people necessary to complete the project, and the work they will need to do
  3. Any resources needed
  4. Any issues or risks that could occur before, during or after the project
  5. The costs for each individual part of the work

A hypothetical example plan, for a car sharing club, is:

  1. Set-up of a social media page/other communication network to advertise car sharing opportunities, set up of an FAQs page or other website to manage user queries and resolve issues, marketing and communications to promote the scheme to residents
  2. Webmaster to run communication network and FAQs page/website, staff/volunteers to resolve queries or issues as they arise, local community members to offer their cars for car sharing, volunteers to market the scheme e.g. at community events
  3. Website/communication network for the scheme and its promotion
  4. Risk of false car-sharing opportunities being shared on the network- mitigate with vetting process before residents are allowed to post opportunities
  5. Cost of hosting website/communication network, cost of marketing or promotion for the scheme

An example of an existing car share scheme can be found here: Carshare Warwickshire community – part of the Liftshare network

Step 3: Funding

There may be some organisations offering grants to fund your project. Here are some examples:

  • Motability Foundation

This charity currently has a grant available for travel projects that help people with disabilities to access shared community transport: Organisation grants | Motability Foundation

  • National Lottery

This organisation currently has grant applications open for the ‘Awards for All England- Environment’ funding, which gives money to projects that positively impact on the environment: National Lottery Awards for All England – Environment | The National Lottery Community Fund

Step 4: Organisations

There may be charitable organisations willing to assist you with your project. This assistance could be monetary, in the form of grants, or be based on advice and support. Here are some examples of charities that can help with your project:

  • Community Rail Partnership

The Community Rail Partnership runs projects at and around local stations to improve community engagement with rail and encourage travel by train. Community groups are welcome to apply to take part in their ongoing projects, a list of which can be found here: Projects – Heart of England CRP

  • CoMoUK

This organisation provides advice and support for shared travel projects. There are pre-made guidance documents available, and the opportunity for consultancy work: Guidance

Community car sharing

Shared cars > Overview and benefits

Step 5: Announcing the Project

Once the project is fully planned and costed, and the relevant organisations contacted, you may wish to publicise your project on social media platforms, or in other medias like parish noticeboards. The Local Climate Engagement Programme produces a quarterly newsletter that details sustainable initiatives and events in South Warwickshire, and we would be happy to advertise your project in an upcoming edition. To send in material for the newsletter, please email swclimate.engagement@warwickdc.gov.uk.

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