Carpool open for new members (14th January 2009)
Park Carpool is still open to new members. We have had a very successful first year. We made a small profit that we have reinvested in the carpool, and all members have been very satisfied with the service and the high availability of cars.
At this point in time there is a special opportunity for people who already have a car to join the carpool. We have had to scrap two of our cars during December. And are therefore looking to buy two replacement cars. So there is an opportunity for people who, for example, are not using their car every day to go to work, and who therefore could save money by selling their car into the carpool and releasing themselves from the expense of keeping a car on the road by themselves.
Most members of Park Carpool pay only £26 a month – which covers all the fixed costs as well as depreciation (i.e. money set aside to pay for a new car).
Our interest in having more members is that it would create increased flexibility. For example, once we have more cars, members will be able to take a car out for a whole week or twp without affecting other members. Further, it would also help us create the financial foundation for buying an electric car. We have some reasons to hope that electric cars like the one Yvonne is currently testing may become available in Scotland in the Spring.
So please contact me, if you would like more information.
Love, Gordon. (691 934 or gentlewarrior@phonecoop.coop)
Here is our membership agreement: Attach:MembershipAgreement3.doc This includes a description of the principles and values underlying this kind of carpool.
And our budget: Attach:Budget.xls
And our first announcement from the Rainbow Bridge: Attach:CarpoolRB1.pdf
The minutes from all our meetings are available here online if you click on this page CarpoolMinutes
If you have any questions or comments, click here Dialogue.Carpool to go to the Carpool topic in the NFA Forum, and add your comments (created on 19th October). If you have not logged on (green login: Community intern link at the top of the left menu bar) you will be asked for a login password. If you don't know it, ask a council member or Hans.
Thanks to all those who have helped us make this happen!
Vroom, vroom … Gordon McAlpine (administrator)
17th September 2008: Park Carpool is expanding! Click here for details: Attach:Expanding.doc
12th October 2007: Today Park Carpool started running. This carpool is based on the model that has been used successfully at The Woodhead Community. For those who already have a car, the advantage of such a carpool is that you can save money by sharing your costs with others. For those who don't, a carpool may be a suitable way for you to improve your quality of life by gaining access to a car at an affordable price. For those who already car-share, a carpool can save you money and give you access to a larger variety of vehicles and greater availability of access. For the community as a whole, the creation of several carpools could help reduce the number of cars within the community, as well as demonstrating the benefits of sharing our material possessions.