‘Love is in the air’ as new Car Share scheme takes off at LJLA

Today Liverpool John Lennon Airport officially launched its own employee car sharing scheme in a bid to encourage staff to share their car journeys to the Airport, reducing congestion and supporting the City’s Year of Environment.

As part of the Airport’s Green Travel Plan activities and working in partnership with TravelWise, a Car Share workshop was held at the Airport to provide staff with the opportunity to informally meet a potential car share partner over coffee. For those employees who already car share they were rewarded with a new Car Share Pass which entitles them to park in the newly designated car share area at the front of the staff car park closest to their workplace.

Coinciding with Valentines Day tomorrow, staff participating in the scheme might even meet up for lifts with someone who becomes more than just a fellow airport worker.

Clare Nelson, Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s Corporate Social Responsibility Advisor, said “With thanks to TravelWise and contractor Mott MacDonald, today’s Car Share launch has been a huge hit with our employees. Staff who already car share feel privileged that they can now park in the new car share area right at the front of the car park and we had many dropping in to see if they could find their perfect match. You never know the Valentines Day launch of this scheme may see all sorts of friendships develop as employers get to meet fellow lift sharers!”

Car sharing is a good alternative for staff looking to get to and from the workplace in a more cost effective and environmentally friendly way. I am delighted the workshop has been a success and it is a great way for the Airport to show its support to the city’s Year of the Environment campaign.”

Merseyside TravelWise co-ordinator Sarah Dewar said: “We are delighted that Liverpool John Lennon Airport has adopted the Car Share scheme and that it is proving so popular with staff. TravelWise campaigns to help people make more sustainable travel choices and we are finding more and more that local people are keen to support schemes that reduce congestion and environmental impact.”

The Airport has identified the importance of car sharing as another sustainable mode for travelling to and from the workplace and in turn reducing the number of single car occupancy journeys made to the Airport. This scheme can work particularly well for those employees working late night or early morning shifts and where public transport is not an option. As well as benefiting the environment, car sharers can also see huge reductions in their travel costs.