Frequently Asked Questions
Why have Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council set up Leicestershare.com?
- To provide you with alternative modes of transport in and around Leicester.
- To help tackle congestion and improve air quality.
- Gives people the chance to meet new people and to encourage building new social networks.
What is car sharing?
Car sharing is when two or more people arrange to share private transport. It allows people to benefit from the convenience of the car, whilst meeting new people and reducing congestion, pollution and the cost of travel.
Leicestershare.com is an online service that promotes car sharing and puts you in touch with other car sharers. We all share cars regularly with friends and family without thinking about it, but there are often times when drivers have empty seats in the car because they don’t know anyone needing a lift. That’s where Leicestershare.com comes in. We can put people travelling in the same direction in contact with each other, so they can arrange to travel together.
If the system is unable to find you a travelling companion, it will log your journey and contact you as soon as a match is found.
Leicestershare.com gives you total control, so you can choose your route and find the perfect companion to share your journey with.
Who can car share?
The car share scheme is available to everyone, and is free to use and secure.
Why should I car share?
Car sharing saves – money:
- Car sharing with one other person will reduce your fuel costs by half. The cost of driving your own car starts at about 23p a mile.
- Car sharing cuts down on parking costs.
- Car sharing reduces mileage, wear and tear and depreciation of the vehicle.
- Car sharing may eliminate the need for a second or third car.
Car sharing saves – time:
- Car sharing helps reduce traffic congestion.
- Car sharing shares the stress of driving.
Car sharing saves – the environment:
- Reducing the number of cars on the road helps to reduce exhaust emissions.
- Pollution is the biggest concern for people with asthma in the UK.
- The average car commuter drives 19 miles a day. Cutting that by half through car sharing would save 648kg of carbon dioxide over one year, the same as that absorbed by 216 trees.
If I register, am I obliged to car share?
If you register onto the Leicestershare site, you are not obliged to car share with anyone; it is your choice how far you want to proceed with the process, and you are in complete control.
How much will it cost?
It is completely free to register on and use Leicestershare.
Do I have to share my car?
Even if you own a car you do not have to use it to share; you can simply share someone else’s car.