Case studies - University of the West of England

When the University of West of England (UWE) contacted us, they already had a variety of incentives for students and staff to use public transport, walk or cycle - but demand for their car parks still outstripped supply, and a solution was needed.

With the launch of its liftshare scheme, the university also introduced parking spaces reserved for car-sharers as an incentive to encourage people to share (on top of the added bonus of saving on their parking and fuel costs). Sharing also saves them time as there are several 2+ lanes around campus that can significantly reduce journey time.

For many students living in multiple-occupancy houses, car-sharing offers an easy and attractive way to do their bit for the environment, save money and take advantage of the reserved parking spaces conveniently located close to campus. The university puts car-share information in student induction packs, and promotes it at their travel desk.

The scheme is very simply run. The only requirement is that there is a passenger in the car when it is parked. This is enforced by a security guard sometimes being posted at the entrance to the car park. Students are encouraged (but not required) to use the site to find car-sharers, so the administrative demand and cost is therefore negligible.

The university scheme currently has over 650 members and a match rate of 44%.

Travel Planner Steve Ward told us:
“We were very pleased to see so many take advantage of car-sharing in travelling to campus. With well over 600 members, the liftshare system has provided an easy way for students and staff members to contact each other and take advantage of our car-share spaces. Car-sharing through liftshare provides an effective and simple method, whereby we can get better value from our limited number of car parking spaces.”