Drivers across West Yorkshire urged to car-share to cut petrol bills

Thousands of people have already signed up to the scheme, some of them seeking a lift and others offering one.

Local authorities are backing the car-share idea.

To mark national liftshare week, Calderdale Council is running a campaign to make residents aware of their free-to-use car share scheme, which can saves commuters as much as £1,000 a year.

Kate Bisson, sustainability officer at Calderdale Council, said: “Everyone is on a tighter budget these days, and every penny helps. But car sharing can save you much more than pennies; many people who share lifts are saving many hundreds of pounds a year.”

“By finding others going your way through WYcarshare, you can at least halve your journey’s fuel costs – as well as reducing stress levels and cutting your carbon footprint.”

Ben Crowther, who works in Halifax, said: “I car share three or four times a week with two different people – sometimes I drive and sometimes I get a lift.

“It’s a nice thing to do – we get chatting about different things and it’s a pleasant way to start and end the day.

“It does help that we share some interests and are friendly with each other. And I save at least £150 over the year, which is a real bonus.”

Liftshare Week runs all this week.

To join WYcarshare for free, go to www.wycarshare.com.

Anyone who sends a ‘request to share’ via the website between Monday September 24 and Sunday October 7 will also be entered into a free prize draw to win £250.

www.wycarshare.com is free to join and use.

[email protected]