Car hire firm gives people the freedom of the city

Jul 28 2007 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

Car hire firm gives people the freedom of the city

AN ECO-friendly car hire firm that can rent out vehicles for as little as half an hour at a time has been so successful that it plans to double its operation in Liverpool.

WhizzGo gives people the opportunity to hire out their low-emission cars from designated points for whatever time they are needed.

Originally set up in Leeds in 2005 and now operating from 10 cities across the UK, the firm yesterday marked its first anniversary in Liverpool by announcing that it aims to double its local operation.

There is currently a fleet of eight cars, mostly Citroen 3s, at four pick-up points across the city, centred around the business district and Bold Street.

Four new sites, including one at Lime Street station, will soon be made available for commuters coming into the city.

WhizzGo managing director Charlotte Morton said: “On- demand cars are a good thing, as there are lots of locations across the city with plenty of capacity for people to get a car when they want one.

She added: “We promote public transport, too. Having a partnership with the council and Merseytravel means that we can encourage people to leave their cars at home and rely on public transport and us when they really need a car.” “People can use our cars for anything, from business trips around the city to taking it away for the weekend.”

The company currently has 150 corporate members in the city, including law firms, architects and construction companies who use the service as an alternative to company cars, and 200 residential members. It now wants to expand its client base to appeal more to students who may not be able to afford their own car.

Nightclub manager Chris Lawton joined up to the service a year ago.

He said: “I moved into the city centre and there was just no parking, so I sold my car and now use WhizzGo two or three times a week to do things for work. It’s easy, it doesn’t cost for parking, and you don’t have to pay for insurance.

“I’m definitely saving money and it’s a cracking idea.”

To sign up, users pay a refundable £125 insurance fee and a £25 registration charge, and from then on the cars, which can be driven anywhere, cost £4.95 per hour.

For more information, visit wwww.whizzgo.co.uk.

TO MARK their anniversary, WhizzGo has pledged its support for Notre Dame Catholic College for the Arts, in its bid to supply them with 100 recycled bikes.

vickyanderson