Miranda Newsom, www.theaccidentalecomaniac.com

Local hero: The man behind a national car-sharing scheme

Everyone has a hero in their community, someone who is helping to reduce other people's eco-impact. Well we've decided to take a closer look at just some of these trendsetters. We’re taking a closer look at real people making a real difference.

Craig Slater, 37, who started a car-sharing scheme, IsAnyoneGoingTo in April 2007

The first up in our series is Craig Slater, 37, from Manchester, who started a national car-sharing scheme, www.IsAnyoneGoingTo.com in April 2007.

Nominate your own local hero

What was your light bulb moment?

I worked at a company with employees travelling all over the country, many going to same place at the same time. I would sit on the motorway next to other single drivers in traffic jams, then fight for car park spaces when we arrived at the same destination.

I thought "How can we bring these people together?" I decided to start a campaign to eradicate single-person occupancy travel. I built IsAnyoneGoingTo.com because car sharing is good for the environment and saves money.

What does the site do?

There are quite a few car share sites, but we’re a social networking car share site. IsAnyoneGoingTo? circumvents the awkwardness of sharing with a stranger.

Who uses the site?

Our 20,000+ members include all sorts of people. If you live in a remote area where transport isn’t adequate, the site expands your travel options. It’s great for people who can’t drive or can’t afford a vehicle.

What’s in it for the driver?

The driver is doing a service to the environment, and the rider will often contribute to fuel or car parking costs– it’s not required but can be negotiated online beforehand.

How do you match people up?

Our site has business, leisure and student sections. A big trend in social networking sites is ‘silos’, tracks for people with similar interests. If I’m going to the Bristol Vegan Fair, chances are I’ll car share with a vegan. Look at how many people drive from Manchester to the Glastonbury Festival. We can reduce the number of cars making that journey.

Are users concerned about safety?

Car sharing is a lot safer and more modern than hitchhiking – you can vet people online. Other car share sites just give a mobile number, but on our site everyone establishes a profile. All email communication is held on a secure server, and you can speak on Skype or webcam. In the US and Germany car sharers provide a passport or NI number. We might do that in future as the site grows.

Is there an inherent conflict for the government: trying to reduce emissions yet wanting people to buy cars to prop up the economy?

Absolutely right. The government just announced they’re opening up the hard shoulder on the M6 in Birmingham. They’re trying to build their way out of congestion, but in another 20 years there will be millions more cars on the road – what then?

Putting another car lane in won’t encourage changes in behaviour. We won’t reach 2010 emissions targets by increasing the motorway network, only by decreasing vehicles on the road.

Politicians jump on the green bandwagon, but a lot is propaganda and spin. People like me may be called radicals but in 10 years time I believe if you see a lone person in a vehicle you’ll be as shocked as you are today when someone’s driving while using a mobile or without a seat belt.

The more we share the more cars we can get off the road and avoid those horrendous traffic jams (image © Robert F. Bukaty/AP/PA Photos)

What about public transport?

It doesn’t work everywhere. I live in Leigh in greater Manchester, arguably one of the largest UK towns without a train station. There’s inadequate parking for those who live far from a station, and the cost: if I take the train to London it’s up to £200 return (often standing the entire journey). If four of us need to go, that’s £800 (plus station parking fees), but I can drive us to London and back for about £25.

Could High Occupancy Vehicle (carpool) lanes help?

The HOV lane is the only way to make any real impact. The UK government should promote car sharing but it has a financial incentive not to: if HOV lanes aren’t well used the government can charge a ‘Lexus Tax’ (single drivers pay to use the carpool lane).

So are you an eco warrior?

I built this site on environmental grounds but in disguise, if you like. The site name isn’t ‘green’ – it’s about the result. The 18-28 year-olds don’t like the green message rammed down their throats. I also contribute to a global festival forum about making global gatherings sustainable. I am a vegan and am interested in animal welfare. We do home checks for an animal rescue centre.

What are your goals for the site?

I hope the site will make car sharing a part of everyday life. It won’t happen overnight, but I am a pioneer. Car share networking sites are the future.

Further Reading

Nominate your own local hero

Quiz: How eco are you?

Tips for a greener home and garden

Why it's healthy to be green

Is it still cool to be green

Guide to Green Motoring