HOW IT WORKS

How Car Sharing works.

The term 'car share' refers to the practice of more than one person driving together rather than driving alone. It is also known as "lift sharing", "ride sharing", "drive sharing" and "carpooling". The person getting the lift gives the driver a cash contribution towards the fuel costs, so both of them save money. The amount of money that changes hands is up to the parties concerned, but the driver must not participate on a "for profit" basis.

Alternatively, if driver and passenger share on a regular basis and each owns a car, they may prefer to operate on a "day on, day off" or "week on, week off" basis, where they take it in turns to drive.

See also the FAQs Section and be sure to download and read the items headed Personal Security and Terms and Conditions in the Downloads Section of this site. When registering with National CarShare NZ you will be asked to confirm that you have read and accept to be bound by the contents of these documents.

How National CarShare NZ works.

We are not trying to find two people who live next door to each other and who work next to each other and whose commuting patterns match perfectly. If such a partnership exists the two people can sort out their own car-sharing arrangements!

National CarShare NZ is designed to be flexible enough to allow people to car-share with various people as and when it suits them and not just to find two people who can car-share on a regular basis all the time.

See also the FAQs Section and be sure to download and read the items headed Personal Security and Terms and Conditions in the Downloads Section of this site. When registering with National CarShare NZ you will be asked to confirm that you have read and accept to be bound by the contents of these documents.

By registering with our car-sharing database members can participate:

  • always as the driver
  • always as the passenger
  • sometimes as the driver and sometimes as the passenger
  • nation-wide (and even internationally), not just within their community or organisation

They can car-share:

  • to and from work
  • during the working day
  • outside of work
  • on a regular basis or just occasionally
  • as a "one-off" to a specific location or event - e.g. sporting events, shows, or concerts etc. for short or long distances

National CarShare NZ facilitates the practice of car sharing for:

  • part time workers
  • shift workers
  • tele workers and those with irregular work patterns
  • those with 'traditional' 9 to 5 jobs as well
  • people who do not own a car
  • people in rural or remote areas
  • in fact, anyone!

Additionally, because we recommend members getting a lift to pay the driver a fuel contribution:

  • there is no obligation for the passenger to return the favour
  • members can get or give a lift in one direction only
  • it provides an incentive for drivers to participate

The Benefits of National CarShare NZ

For the individual:

  • Driving can be quite stressful although sometimes we do not realise it. Taking a 'back seat' from time to time gives you a break from that stress.
  • Being a passenger from time to time means you can do other things like read the paper or a book or do some work. Providing you're not prone to snoring you could even catch up on lost sleep!
  • The cost of driving your own car is considerably more than the costs of the fuel you use. Motoring organisations estimate the cost of driving a small car to be at least $0.83 a mile. National CarShare NZ's fuel contribution system means that some of these costs are reduced.
  • Car sharing enables both parties to significantly reduce their combined and individual carbon footprints.
  • Car sharing can be pleasant and fun!

See also the FAQs Section and be sure to download and read the items headed Personal Security and Terms and Conditions in the Downloads Section of this site. When registering with National CarShare NZ you will be asked to confirm that you have read and accept to be bound by the contents of these documents.

For organisations, car-sharing:

  • Eases the demand on limited parking facilities
  • Reduces the costs of providing employee car parking spaces
  • Contributes to lessening traffic congestion around the work place
  • Lessens the environmental damage caused by personnel getting to and from work
  • Active support of car-sharing makes a positive statement about your environmental credentials

National CarShare NZ can supply a bespoke database for employers and other organisations.

A bespoke car share scheme will allow you to:

  • promote car sharing to your staff or members to their benefit
  • reduce company car running expenses
  • incentivise and monitor usage
  • re-inforce your environmental policy
  • calculate real carbon savings to meet targets or offsets

For details of our corporate and group schemes please contact us.