Lift-share scheme kicked into action by footballers

30th January 2013

Some of the biggest names in Highland football have teamed up with a local community group to help fans cut car use and beat traffic jams on the Kessock Bridge.

A new website http://highland.liftshare.com will help people get together to travel to work or to events such as shows and football matches.

Transition Black Isle is promoting the site as part of its Million MIles project, which aims to cut car use on the Black Isle by one percent a year over the next three years.

Inverness Caley FC players will join Transition Black Isle directors and members of the project team to officially launch the new site at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium at 1:30pm on Tuesday 29th January. You are invited to attend.

“With fuel costs rising and traffic jams becoming an ever more common sight in the Highlands, the time has never been better to share the costs, share the journey and share the craic,” said Million Miles project officer Marion McDonald.

“The site is part of a raft of measures we are working on to help people find low carbon alternatives for getting around. As well as promoting lift sharing, we’re encouraging people to get on their bikes to travel short distances, or try using public transport.”

“Highland.liftshare.com is new and it might take a while for you to find a match initially but keep trying, or broaden your search a little,” Mario added. “Every day new people are registering and as they do, more and more options will come available.

“We’ve been working with businesses and organisations such as Lifescan and Scottish Natural Heritage and are very grateful for the widespread encouragement and support we have received.”

Inverness Caledonian Thistle chairman Kenny Cameron said: “Caley Thistle is delighted to be assisting and supporting this very worth while project. It is not only an opportunity to save on fuel bills but also your chance to do your bit for the environment, which is something we should all respect.”

The Highland Liftshare site was financed by Highland Council through its Ward 10 Discretionary Fund.

Councillor Isobel McCallum said: “As Black Isle councillors we are all keen to see disruption minimised when work begins on the Kessock Bridge in February. Car sharing is one obvious way to reduce the number of vehicles travelling to and from Inverness and we are pleased to have been able to support Transition Black Isle in developing the Highland Liftshare website.

“In the long term, this is an opportunity for us all to change our travel habits, make better use of resources and make the Black Isle greener. Getting a lift with a neighbour is going to be one of the most effective solutions to reducing traffic during the bridgeworks and will very likely become a habit as the other benefits become obvious. So get to know your neighbours better by organising a Liftshare.”

Transition Black Isle director Wendy Price added: “I live close to the A9 and every day I see so many cars heading to Inverness, or Dingwall with just one person inside. With the increasing price of fuel it just seems mad that we can't organise ourselves better to co-ordinate our travel. The Highland Liftshare website does just that - matches people up
making the same journey.

“Experience from other similar projects has shown that people can save up to £1000 per year by lift sharing so it’s well worth thinking about how you can make arrangements to travel with others.”

The site is now live at www.highland.lifthare.com and includes full details of how to use it. To find out more and contact the Million Miles team see www.transitionblackisle.org