Community carpool launched

Do you want to save money on fuel, get priority parking, reduce wear and tear to your vehicle, cut your carbon footprint, meet new friends and help cut road congestion? Then become a member of Carpool Mid North Coast.

Carpool Mid North Coast is an initiative of the eight Mid North Coast councils - Coffs Harbour City Council, Bellingen Shire Council, Kempsey Shire Council, Nambucca Shire Council, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Greater Taree City Council, Gloucester Shire Council and Great Lakes Council - plus Transport for NSW, North Coast TAFE, Mid North Coast Local Health District and Southern Cross University.

"Like all the best ideas, Carpool Mid North Coast is very simple. The free, easy to use website helps match members with people taking the same journey, whether regularly or occasionally, and they share a vehicle which cuts the environmental and travel costs. It's a win-win all round," said Port Macquarie-Hastings Council General Manager Tony Hayward, who will be at the launch of the scheme at an event hosted by Bellingen Shire Council on Friday, May 25.

The Carpool scheme includes a secure, free, carpool website, member car stickers and branded road signs which will identify the Pick Up and Set Down locations. A pilot scheme launched in 2009 in the Northern Rivers region has already proved highly successful.

"Commuters on the Mid North Coast have few transport options. We frequently travel substantial distances by car and, usually alone," said Mr Hayward.

"By putting in place a network of carpoolers across the region, and linking it into the existing carpool schemes elsewhere, members have a very good chance of finding someone making the same journey as themselves whether it's local or more distant."

To register or for more information visit the Carpool Mid North Coast website at: www.carpoolmnc.org