Run by Enterprise in partnership with Portsmouth City Council, the city’s car club is designed to give people an alternative to owning their own vehicle, contributing to fewer vehicles on roads, reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in the city.
Over 380 local people have joined the car club, covering over 55,000 miles in the vehicles. Members can use the vehicles for quick trips around the city, or for up to seven full days if they’re needed for a longer trip.
Members of the car club can unlock and rent cars from eight designated parking bays in southern Portsmouth, but plans are in place to expand to Lakeside in the north of the city later in the year. The company also plans to make the car club even more environmentally friendly, with the introduction of fully electric vehicles.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport said “I’m pleased to see that people in Portsmouth are using the car club as a way to get around without needing a private car. Developing and improving access to affordable, sustainable travel options like these is a key priority for us – it helps make our city’s air cleaner to breathe and reduces the amount of traffic on our roads.”
An offer for Portsmouth residents is still in place, meaning that new members only need to pay £20 for membership of the car club for the first year, instead of the standard £60 annual fee. This offer also comes with £20 worth of driving credit, to help people get started with making a more affordable switch from owning a private vehicle. Further discounts are also available for Armed Forces, NHS and Emergency Services.
Members can unlock vehicles through the Enterprise App, or via the free Breeze app on Google Play (Android) or the App Store (iPhone), which also allows users to organise their travel on a variety of public transport.
A full report on the Car Club in Portsmouth will be discussed at the forthcoming Transport Cabinet Decision Meeting, due to take place on 26 September 2024.