Liftshare 63% cheaper than rail travel in 2015
(PRWEB UK) 10 December 2014 -- Liftshare.com is providing a real alternative for rail passengers who face the anguish of more expensive rail travel¹, due to plans for a further 2.4% fare increase in January 2015.
With inflation at 1.3% and 1 in 5 people in the UK finding themselves in work poverty², passengers were quick to show real concern on Twitter with @CBTransport summing up the mood: “January rail fares announced - still going up faster than wages”.
The UK’s largest ride-sharing community, Liftshare, has four million car seats available to share every week and 30,000 journeys within the M25. It offers a real alternative to overcrowded, overpriced rail travel.
David Sidebottom, director at the independent watchdog Passenger Focus, said: "Only just over four in ten passengers are currently happy with the value of their rail ticket." He added that passengers are looking for greater flexibility, reliability and consistency – the pillars of Liftshare’s success.
Liftshare member Mel, who used to commute to work each day by train, said: “I don’t have to be up at silly o’clock to get on a train to stand for an hour whilst I’m still half asleep. So far using Liftshare has saved me in the region of £2,000 and I have a distinct lack of bruises from sharp elbows on the trains! It also guarantees me a seat for my hard earned wages.”
Liftshare members like Mel are enjoying the lowest fuel prices for some time with the average price of petrol standing at 120.84p and diesel at 125.43p. Liftshare supports the RAC’s call for petrol prices to be cut by a further 7p in time for Christmas because of the falling crude oil prices.
-ENDS-
Notes to edtiors
¹ Figure based on cost of travelling on 5th January 2015 from London to Birmingham – by train: £85.68 / using Liftshare: £11.70
² Statistic courtesy of Living Wage UK
• Liftshare are pioneers of the #sharingeconomy;
• Liftshare.com is a free website with the aim of giving everyone someone to car share with;
• Over 600,000 people have registered with Liftshare and 1 in 100 cars in the UK is registered on the site;
• Members will share an estimated 507million miles over the next 12 months, saving approximately 167,000 tonnes of CO2
• In 1965 car occupancy was 2 but since then it has slowly declined to the current level of 1.6;
• Liftshare operates over 1,200 car share schemes across the UK, including councils, businesses, hospitals, universities and community groups;
• Awards include: EU Sustainability Week Award 2012 | Eurostar Ashden Award for Sustainable Travel 2012 | Nectar National Small Business Award 2010 | Queen’s Award for Innovation 2008 | Business Commitment to the Environment Award 2007
• The typical driver who car-shares for their daily commute saves £987 a year.
PR Contact:
For more case studies, photography or additional comments from Liftshare’s CEO Ali Clabburn contact:
Emma Cook, emma[at[liftshare[dot]com / 07749 574361
Emma Cook, Liftshare, 07749574361, [email protected]
Share this article