Scottish car club user numbers soar

THE number of drivers using Scottish car-sharing clubs has increased by nearly one quarter over the last two years following the launch of four new ones, sustainable transport firm Carplus reported today.

Picture: Tony Williams

The 23 per cent growth is more than twice the 9 per cent increase in membership among clubs south of the Border, excluding London.

New clubs, in which drivers simply pay for car use, have been launched in Aberdeen, Dumfries, Dundee and Haddington, while those in Edinburgh and Glasgow have continued to grow.

Total membership has topped 7,000 across Scotland, with more than 100 people joining a month.

Carplus chief executive Chas Ball said: “The impressive rate at which the Scottish car club network has grown over the last few years highlights the important role played by the Scottish Government in facilitating the growth of this sector by funding support.

Transport minister Keith Brown said: “I am encouraged by the continued growth in Scotland’s car club network.

“The Scottish Government has an ambitious agenda for tackling climate change and the increasing interest in car clubs demonstrates how people are helping to deliver this.

“Greener lifestyles can also be less expensive lifestyles, given the ever-rising costs of running a private car.”