JULY/AUGUST 2023 AFTERMARKET 15 www.aftermarketonline.net and electric scooters are common options, and there are even electric bikes in some areas. Accessibility is made easy thanks to most providers having an app that you can create an account for and rent one of the vehicles for the time or distance you need it. Once finished, you can find a designated point to leave the vehicle using the app, while some allow you to leave it parked in a safe location Car sharing Many companies are now introducing carsharing schemes that act like a combination of car rental and micromobility. Apps are available for these services, so you can see the GPS location of a car on the system. Using a booking system or calling direct, you book and then use a smartcard or your phone for contactless to unlock the car without the need for keys. This is a great option for drivers who may need to make the occasional (and sometimes unavoidable) longer trip but don’t want the hassle of owning a personal car. Not having to worry about cleaning or refuelling the car, as well as long-term concerns like servicing and insuring the vehicle, means you can choose when to drive to suit your needs. Once you’re done, simply park in a designated spot for it to be used by another member of the service. Public transport discounts Each city and region in the UK has their own public transport systems. Some examples are regional rail systems like the Tube in London, the Tram in Manchester and the Metro in Newcastle and Gateshead. Buses are also present up and down the UK, all running until the late evening hours. While using public transport consistently can mean you build up costs over time, there are ways you can bring these overall costs down. This can include investing a bit more at the start of the month for a season ticket that will cover your travel for the rest of that month. Similarly, you can get a bus or metro pass that you can top up with credit so you can simply swipe or tap to ride. The drive for people to use public transport more regularly has inspired government incentives to make travel more affordable. A great example is the Get Around scheme that has been introduced between January and March 2023, which offers single cap tickets of £2 for the full three months. Owning a car can be incredibly useful, but the rising costs could be enough to drive motorists away from sole ownership. If you would prefer to own your own car and live close to someone else who can drive, you could look into joint insurance that allows you both to drive the vehicle. That way, you could spread the costs evenly across both drivers. www.co-wheels.org.uk Owning a car can be incredibly useful, but the rising costs could be enough to drive motorists away from sole ownership ”
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