Car Sharing Options

Sat 21 Dec, 08:00

This is more a kind of info post, although I'm sure everyone knows the buses could be improved. 

I also have no car at the moment (can't really hire one as I'd probably fill it with mud from my gardening business). My mother is in a care home in Witney, up at Cogges. Getting to see her when buses only run approx 2 hrly from Charlbury, and visits have to be fitted round my working hours is almost impossible. 

Fri 20 Dec, 21:48

Hi Zoe, along with others on the Town Council's Journeys team, I spent a long time trying to popularise the idea of a car club in Charlbury. There were for a couple of years two cars (at least) advertised in Charlbury on the Hiyacar system but latterly the uptake for both was minimal, as I understand it. Many many people who we spoke to loved the idea and said they were keen and they would sign up and use the cars but ultimately, few did.

I used to borrow cars frequently on the Hiyacar system myself, a couple of years ago, and it wasn't too expensive then. The people whose cars were offered for hire on Hiyacar (they are also members of the Town Council's Journeys team!) said that the charges charged by the app owner had gone up considerably, as had insurance, making borrowing cars using that system not particularly attractive.

Members of the Journeys team are going to meet again in January to look at the problem. Councillor Liz Reason thinks that there is a new system that could be a viable replacement for Hiyacar. I will try to remember to post details of the meeting here so that you and others who are interested can come along and share thoughts and describe the kinds of journeys that they need to make but can't.

I'm afraid this does not help you being carless over Christmas and into the New Year. If you are on good terms with neighbours who have a spare car, you may be able to borrow one when you need one and they don't need it. Insurances permitting. I used to do that myself a fair bit pre-Hiyacar, but I appreciate it's not something that you'd want to do too frequently. 

Good luck.

PS On a brighter note, there is now a bus service seven days a week in Charlbury, previously there was none on a Sunday. While bus fares are supercheap still (£2 flat fare) it may be worth checking out how many of the journeys you need to make can be made easily by bus?

Fri 20 Dec, 12:22

Hi all, I’m wondering what car sharing options (if any) still exist in Charlbury? Hiyacar is no longer here. My car has unfortunately broken down again today and, with the garage closed until 2nd January and the issue too expensive to be worth fixing, I’m looking for short-term options to get through the Christmas break (and mid-term options for the next few months).

Thanks for any suggestions!