FAQ

Car Share BOP - Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is Car Share BOP?

Car Share BOP is a web-based application that promotes the idea of sharing a journey for travel in the Bay of Plenty region. By encouraging people to leave their cars at home for at least one day a week, we help improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion, save money on fuel and promote better health.

 

Car share BOP helps you find people to share a ride with by searching for other people who live near you or along your route and have similar work schedules and lifestyle preferences.

 

What is car sharing?

Car sharing is when two or more people share a car and travel together. It allows people to benefit from the convenience of the car, whilst alleviating the associated problems of congestion and pollution.

 

What are the benefits of sharing a car?

Travelling in a pair or a group can often be more fun and better for individuals, the community and the environment. There are several reasons for this:

 

· Saves you money - travelling with others enables you to reduce your transport costs by up to $1000 a year.

 

· Reduces the number of cars on the roads - resulting in less congestion, less pollution and fewer

parking problems.

 

· Provides a real solution for people who live in rural areas and don’t have access to a car.

 

· Gives employees and employers more transport options.

 

· Reduces the need for a private car.

 

· It can save you time.

 

· It can encourage you to take some physical activity.

 

· It can be more sociable.

 

· It can be safer for you.

 

· It can help introduce people to each other and reduce social exclusion.

 

· It can reduce our use of the limited fossil fuels.

 

When can I share a car?

Car sharing can be undertaken for any journey and doesn’t have to occur every day, only when it suits you!

 

You can car share in numerous ways such as - getting to work, doing the weekly shop, taking the kids to school, travelling to a festival, event or show, getting to or from school or university, visiting friends or getting to the airport.

 

Remember every time you car share you will be saving YOU money.

 

What are the costs of car sharing?

Car Share BOP is a completely free service provided by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council for everyone in the region to use. There are no costs involved with choosing to car share although we do suggest that drivers and passengers share the cost of their trips. This could be as simple as deciding to alternate driving on certain days or split the fuel and parking costs. Essentially splitting your fuel bill in half!

A fuel saver calculator is located at the following link to give an estimate of your trip:

http://www.fuelsaver.govt.nz/index.html

 

Unfortunately there is currently no government tax allowance for car-sharers. However, we will let our members know if it does become a reality!

 

What are the chances of finding a perfect match to my requirements?

Tens of thousands of members of similar car share websites around the world have had success in finding travelling companions, and our software has been designed to help identify all possible ways of getting you from A to B. Around 90% of our members are matched up with another user.

 

You don’t have to live next door to one another. There may be the opportunity to pick someone else up on the way into work. For example, if you're having difficulty in finding a match, we suggest that you look for a travelling companion for part of your journey, and do the rest on the bus, or by walking or cycling.

 

And remember - the more members we have, the greater the chance of finding an exact match. So make sure you tell your friends about this website, and get them to register their journeys ASAP.

 

How do I contact the driver/passenger?

Once signed up to Car Share BOP you will be provided with a list of suitable travelling companions. You now get to choose who you would like to travel with. You can make contact (to agree a time and place to meet) using the email service on the website.

 

We recommend that for your first meeting all members should meet in public locations such as a local café or another public area. After this you can decide on the best way to communicate together to organise your car share.

 

Is my e-mail address visible to other users?

No, your email address is kept hidden and not shown to other members anywhere on the site until you contact someone that you have chosen as a potential car share companion.

 

What happens if my car share fails?

Car Share BOP is a travel information service provider and we cannot be held responsible for any journeys that don't work out as planned. Likewise the drivers and passengers who register their journeys with us are under no legal obligation to their travelling companions or to car share to make any journeys.

 

However we hope that if plans change and journeys can't be made, that all affected parties will be contacted and forewarned with appropriate notice. We also suggest that travelling companions arrange to meet at locations close to bus stops, so that if plans fall through the passengers have the option of using an alternative form of transport to get to their destination on time.

 

How safe is car sharing?

The safety of our members is a priority, and we have made our web-site as secure as we can. All members' details are stored securely in the database and only the members' intended travel information can be accessed on-line.

 

When it comes to travelling, every member is responsible for his or her own safety. However we do recommend that members' follow some simple security measures outlined below:

 

· Avoid exchanging home addresses with your travelling companion before you meet them.

 

· Arrange to meet in a public place.

 

· Inform a friend or family member of who you will be travelling with, when and to where.

 

· Show each other your I.D.s - passports, student cards or driving licences - so you know you're

travelling with the right person.

 

· You are under no obligation to go ahead with any car share. If you have any doubts about your

travelling companion, for any reason, you should avoid travelling with them.

 

· It is your responsibility to check that the person you are sharing with has all the legal driving

documents such as driving licence, car registration and WOF.

 

· For more information about safety and security of personal information please read Terms and

Conditions and the Privacy Policy

 

Links to other valuable information

 

Car Sharing Information

Cost Calculator - http://www.fuelsaver.govt.nz/

NZTA website - http://nzta.govt.nz/traffic/info/businesses/carpooling.html

ARTA travelwise - http://www.travelwise.org.nz/Workplaces/

Sustainability Government - http://www.sustainability.govt.nz/transport

EECA Energy Wise - http://www.energywise.org.nz/yourtravel/a-to-b/sharing-a-ride.html

Greater Wellington Council - http://www.letscarpool.govt.nz/

 

Alternative Transport Options

Buses - http://www.baybus.co.nz/

Walking and Cycling –http://www.tauranga.govt.nz/council-services/transportation-roads/cycling-walkways.aspx

http://www.rdc.govt.nz/YourCouncil/~/media/RDC/Files/Activities/Sustainability/WhatWeAreDoing/Workplace

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Other Car Pool or City Car Club Links

Car Share NZ - http://www.carshare.co.nz/

Jay Ride NZ - http://www.jayride.co.nz/

City Hop - http://www.cityhop.co.nz/

 

Other Links

Traffic Cam - http://www.trustpower.co.nz/TrafficCam/

TCC - http://www.tauranga.govt.nz/

Parking - http://www.tauranga.govt.nz/search-results/tabid/594/qid/93/tctl/1286_ViewQuestion/Default.aspx

http://www.rdc.govt.nz/Services/Parking.aspx