Carpooling is the common sense response to the global fuel crisis

The New Zealand government needs to strongly promote carpooling at a time of global fuel crisis, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says:

“On a road used mainly by cars with a single occupant, you can halve the number of vehicles simply by getting two passengers to share each vehicle. That’s half the road space, half the energy and half the pollution. It’s also far cheaper per passenger.”

“When four occupants are sharing one car for the same trip, that’s a quarter of the number of vehicles on the road, a bit over one quarter of the energy, a bit over one quarter of the fuel and close to one quarter of the pollution. And the cost per passenger is also far cheaper.“

“So why is the government still promoting congestion charges instead of carpooling?”[1]

“The government's upcoming congestion charges will allow wealthy people to continue to use their single-occupant cars by simply paying a daily congestion charge.”

“By comparison, carpooling means both rich and poor are more likely to share their cars because that’s the fastest way of reaching their destination.”

Matthew-Wilson believes the authorities should:

“Restrict the fastest lanes on motorways to vehicles that carry three or more occupants. Restrict the next fastest lanes to vehicles with two or more occupants, then make the slowest lanes available to vehicles with only one occupant.”

“If cars carrying multiple occupants get to work quicker, then all drivers – rich and poor alike – have a powerful incentive to share their vehicles.”

Carpooling drivers in Auckland already have free access to T2 and T3 transit lanes, priority lanes and designated carpool parking.

“In much of Europe, carpooling is an established and growing mobility option, particularly in countries such as France, Germany, and the Netherlands. While most commuters still drive alone, organised carpooling schemes and app-based platforms are expanding rapidly, especially for long-distance travel and workplace commuting.”

Matthew-Wilson acknowledges many drivers are fearful or resentful of sharing their vehicles.

“Cultural factors, such as a lack of willingness to share rides with strangers, are often cited as reasons to avoid carpooling.”

“Drivers want to know who they will be sharing their car with. There needs to be a simple, easy-to-use app which gives both the driver and the passenger a sense of security and comfort with the arrangement.”

Matthew-Wilson adds:

“With global fuel prices rocketing and no easy solution in sight, we need a system that encourages all people to share their vehicles and therefore reduce energy use. The government should ditch congestion charges and instead support widespread carpooling. Carpooling can reduce travel time, save energy, save money, reduce pollution and reduce congestion. It’s simply the common sense option.”