After the Dunedin City Council's decision to discontinue its support for the tertiary ride-share scheme, the council's planning and environment committee has given the thumbs up to a website-based alternative.
Committee chairwoman Kate Wilson said DCC staff had been asked to investigate alternative ways to reduce parking pressure and increase sustainable travel behaviour. As a result, the DCC, the University of Otago and the Otago Polytechnic were now referring people to the Jayride website (www.jayride.co.nz), a national ride-sharing network where people could offer or find a ride.
Mrs Wilson said she was pleased with the solution.
While there was no priority parking associated with the Jayride network, as there was under the tertiary ride-share scheme, there would be a flow-on reduction in parking pressure in the city as fewer vehicles were used to transport occupants.
There is also the added benefit to the users of sharing the costs of running the vehicle.
"It's a simple, cost-effective outcome for everyone.
"Referring our residents to one website avoids duplication of these systems and keeps it simple for the user.
"There are personal benefits in the shared costs of running a vehicle and contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas and carbon emissions, as well as benefiting the city at large, with parking pressure eased and, perhaps, greater community connection."
The website is free and easily accessed by all users, and businesses and community groups can set up pages.
