IT SOUNDS like it’s too good to be true: a BMW 1-Series for just £6.95 an hour. But that’s what the UK’s largest car club, Streetcar, is offering.
The car club, with 70,000 members at 1000 locations, is doubling the number of vehicles it offers members. And widening its choice of cars with BMWs. So joining the Streetcar’s existing fleet of VW Polos, Golfs, Tourans and Transporter Vans will be the BMW 1 Series and BMW 3 Series.
The additions will increase Streetcar’s fleet from 1100 to just under 2000 by September 2010.
“These moves are part of our radical expansion plans for 2010 and will create a more dynamic service to suit our increasingly diverse customer base,” commented Brett Akker, Streetcar’s co-founder.
“Now we have something to suit every occasion, budget and member; from the student to the city professional to the business opting to replace their pool car scheme with a more cost-effective alternative. We believe our growth will enable more and more people to consider giving up a car, a trend which we’ve already seen increasing dramatically over the past six years.”
Streetcar’s move aims to tap into the increasingly popular notion of paying for use rather than ownership – particularly for small businesses.
Sharyn Wortman, who runs her own business in Putney, west London said: “I decided not to buy a car in London. So I use Streetcar for business trips, as well as short trips to the supermarket and DIY store, and for longer weekend trips out of London.”
Ms Wortman added: “Being able to return the car to its very own parking space at the end of journey is a real luxury in London.”
Last year, City Car Club bought out rival WhizzGo (see news story New name for WhizzGo car club). And the large daily rental companies are getting in on the act, too.
Recently Europcar followed the rival Connect by Hertz car club with its own EuropcarClub. Europcar says it offers the membership benefits of a car club with the flexibility of daily hire.
EuropcarClub is a subscription based service, with two tiers – Easy and Premium. “It’s ideal for those who have decided to opt out of second car ownership, or want the flexibility of different cars to suit different demands,” said Catriona Lougher, Europcar marketing director.
“EuropcarClub also offers a solution to businesses who don’t want the financial commitment of leasing or buying company cars,” added Ms Lougher.
Streetcar said that organisations could make significant savings on staff travel by using car clubs. Surrey County Council, which uses Streetcar, saw a cost reduction of 26% per mile driven with Streetcar compared to their previous car pool costs.
The cost of hiring the Streetcar BMW 1 Series
- 1 hour £6.95
- 24 hours £69.50
The cost of hiring the Streetcar BMW 3 Series
- 1 hour £8.95
- 24 hours £89.50
