Varadkar to drive ahead with plans for ‘car clubs’

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar is to drive ahead with plans for “car clubs” in cities to help families save money and reduce the numbers of vehicles on the roads.

Local authorities are to be told to operate dedicated parking areas where drivers can pick up the temporary-use vehicles in a system that hopes to replicate Dublin’s bike share scheme.

Following the success of similar car clubs in Britain and Germany, the minister wants local authorities to set up “base” sites.

Legislation is needed for this. Under the plans, drivers would be able to book vehicles in advance, pay an hourly rate, access cars with a swipe-card, and then simply drive off.

Fellow Fine Gael TD Eoghan Murphy introduced the initiative in a private members’ bill in the Dáil earlier this year. Mr Varadkar’s spokesman said the minister had considered the proposals, was behind the scheme and would introduce changes in the next Road Traffic Bill.

“The Government has made a commitment to legislate to enable on-road parking spaces to be designated for car clubs through appropriate signage,” he said.

Mr Murphy said the scheme could help to cut the bill for state workers.

“A worker, rather than drive a car in and claim mileage for a job in the day, could use the pre-booked car. Cost would be taken out of the employee’s hands. Families can take one out for the weekly shop or if they’re taking a trip outside the city.

“It will save parking costs and vehicles already have insurance and NCT.”

Mr Varadkar thinks the scheme would stop families investing in a second car.

His spokesman said: “In the short term we would see them as a way of getting families to reduce from two-car to one-car, enabling them to easily book a car when a second is required. Medium-term, there is definitely potential for urban residents to use only car clubs for their car needs. The department is very aware of the benefits of the concept and sees no reason why they would not be successful in the larger urban areas, given the right circumstances.”

Company GoCar already has car-club facilities, with 15 cars in Dublin and five in Cork.

Company founder Marc Rafferty said: “We’re planning to extend it to 200 vehicles in 12 months. For firms it’s good, why have a company car any more?”

GoCar says the average club customer uses a car for 3.5 hours, drives 30km and spends €25, which includes petrol and insurance.