Travel smart - being greener and more efficient in the way we travel

What does the project involve?

As part of the ways of working project the Council is looking at alternative, more cost effective travel options to reduce business mileage, save money and reduce its carbon emissions.

The Council has also reviewed its occupational road risk policy to ensure compliance with legal requirements. This includes making sure employees using their own vehicles for essential Council business are aware of their responsibilities and have the correct car insurance, MOT, car tax, and a valid driving licence.

Our targets

Last year the Council spent nearly £7m on employee mileage claims covering 11.5m miles. This means 735,000 staff hours were spent driving.

In 2008 the Council's CO2 emissions in 2008 was 3445 tonnes, the target for 2010/11 is to reduce this to 2961 tonnes.

The Council needs to reduce CO2 Emissions by 2% based on the previous year and reduce business mileage by at least 20% to help make savings of around £950k over the next 18 months.

The project aims to:

• Reduce business mileage
• Look at alternative travel options such as the bus, tram, cycling or walking
• Look at alternative ways to hold meetings for example conference calls or asking those external to the organisation to visit you
• Reduce the Council's carbon footprint
• Travel for less, providing pre paid travel cards for public transport at main Council offices
• Improve driver and vehicle compliance ensuring employees using their own vehicle for Council business drive a car that is legal and current in respect of MOT, insurance, drivers licence and vehicle tax
• Ensure staff are driving carefully, responsibly and safely, conforming to the Council's occupational road risk policy.

What will it mean for me?

• Using alternative transport to your own vehicle for essential Council business such as using the car share scheme, public transport or a hire car for long trips, especially outside the county
• Reduced wear, tear and mileage on your own vehicle
• Reduced fuel costs
• More thorough checks by managers to ensure trips are essential before they are made
• More thorough checks by managers of mileage claims and challenging if the mileage claimed is legitimate and needed for essential Council business
• Making sure, and confirming, that your car insurance covers you for business use, not just commuting to a single place of work by completing the travel smart - travel safe online form
• Making sure you have the right car, a valid MOT certificate, driving licence and up to date road tax and confirming this by completing the travel smart - travel safe online form
• Keeping the Council informed of any changes to your vehicle, driving licence or car insurance
• Making sure your vehicle is fit for purpose, especially if you carry passengers - their safety is in your hands.

What are the benefits for the Council?

Reducing business mileage and using alternative transport will help the Council save money, reduce CO2 emissions and congestion in line with government targets.

The more we save on travel, the more we can concentrate spend on front line services.

How can I help?

• Consider if your journey is really essential for Council business
• Think about alternative travel options such as public transport or a hire car for Council business rather than your own vehicle
• Plan your journey using the latest traffic, travel and public transport information
• Use the online grey fleet hire car breakeven tool to work out if a hire car would be more cost effective when compared to using your own vehicle
• Think about the need to hold meetings - could you hold a conference call? Could your external visitor come to you? Could you car share if your meeting is essential?

The more we save on travel, the more we can protect front line services.

Milestones