Cityhop New Zealand's first car share service – cars by the hour

With new year resolutions flying about, Victoria Carter, Chief Executive and co-founder of New Zealand’s first car share, Cityhop suggests there is one easy way to make a ‘green new start to the year.’ “Not only will you be reducing your emissions output but many of these ideas will not only save you money but could even improve your waistline!” says Victoria .

“Whether you believe in global warming or not I don’t think is the issue,” says Victoria, “in this age of consumerism it won’t do us any harm to use less, recycle more and conserve a little more.

“We live in the age of waste so some economy is a good habit to instil in our children and it certainly won’t harm them to know ways that they can contribute to a more sustainable planet.”

The number one thing action that Victora says that will not only impact on your pocket and your wasitline but help reduce congestion is to use your car less. Consider selling your second or third car and sign up for a Cityhop car share annual membership. Then whenever you need a car you can go on-line and book one for only $15 an hour including petrol and insurance from handy locations all over Auckland and Wellington city.

“Car sharing is taking modern cities by storm as more families choose not to buy second and third cars and singles decide they can’t justify the investment in such a large depreciating asset or afford the parking costs.

“Joining car share schemes like Cityhop can also reduce your waist line,” says Carter, referring to the fact that overseas research into the behaviour of car share members shows that they drive around 7000 kilometres less than when before they were car share members.

“Every trip a car share member takes makes them think what is the best mode of transport for where I need to go, ferry, bus or train, walk or bike. As a result they walk more so they are fitter and exercising more. This is what we call one of the hidden benefits of joining car share, laughs Victoria.

Get serious about a green start to the year. There’s no shortage of places to start.