Newbury pay-as-you-go 'car club' moves a step closer

District council led scheme will see cars available to rent by the hour

PLANS to create a pay-as-you-go ‘car club’ scheme in Newbury have moved a step closer.

The scheme, which sees people rent cars by the hour from a council-appointed provider, aims to reduce congestion and pollution in the town and will cost £91,000 to implement.

This will be funded through a £50,000 grant from the Department for Transport and £41,000 in developer contributions.

West Berkshire Council says that for drivers doing less than 6,000 miles a year it can be cheaper to join a car club than own a car, as you only pay when you drive and don’t have to worry about insurance, MOT and servicing costs.

In a leaflet on the scheme, published by West Berkshire Council, it says: “Members typically drive fewer miles than car owners, which in turn could help to reduce congestion and improve air quality on local roads in Newbury as well as reducing levels of locally produced carbon emissions.

“Major new developments, such as the Newbury Racecourse, include (or will be required to include) provision of a car club.

“It therefore, makes sense for the council to work with the Racecourse, and other developers in the future, to establish a car club that will benefit the whole of Newbury.”

This week, the council have got the ball rolling by proposing that the cars are parked in three designated locations across the town – Boundary Road, Oddfellows Road and West Street.

Members of the car club will be able to book and use the car club car online or by phone with as little as one minutes’ notice.

As a member, you will be given a smart card which opens the car when you arrive for your booking.

The council says that the typical cost of borrowing a car is about £4.50 per hour plus 21p per mile driven.

This includes all fuel, insurance, tax, MOT, servicing, maintenance, breakdown cover and cleaning.

Discounted daily and weekend rates are also available.

A fuel card is provided in case you need to refuel, with the car club provider picking up the bill.

According to car club website TransportXtra, West Berkshire Council is seeking an operator to set up a scheme in Newbury on a three-year contract commencing in December.

Last year the council sent out ‘travel plans’ to thousands of residents’ in south Newbury offering them incentives for ditching the car in favour of public transport.