Accelerator incubator Carbon Voyage launches booking service to lower cost and carbon of car ride
5th March 2009
Accelerator incubator Carbon Voyage launches booking service to lower cost and carbon of car rides
• Passengers share rides and find cars on return journeys
• Companies and customers cash in and cut carbon
Accelerator incubator Carbon Voyage has recently launched a car-booking service that helps people to cut the cost and carbon footprint of using private car hire.
Customers are already using the service, which is in beta trials, to share cars with other people and take advantage of the wasted return journeys minicabs make.
“Tough economic times are opening doors for cost-saving businesses,” says James Swanston, CEO of Carbon Voyage. “The beauty of our service is that it makes car travel cheaper and cuts the environmental impact of private-hire cars. It's very low-hanging fruit when you consider the number of trips made by airport taxis.
“It’s important for us to deliver value but also do our bit to tackle climate change. That’s what green business is all about.”
There are some 66,000 taxis and private-hire vehicles in London. It is estimated that private hire vehicles are empty up to 45 per cent of the time, according to government figures. This is called ‘dead mileage’ is regarded by car operators and environmentalist as an extremely wasteful use of a journey.
The BBC annually spends £19 million on taxis and private car rides,* while the demand to cut carbon footprints and costs continues to rise.
The Carbon Voyage experience promises to give a safe, low-cost and carbon service to customers in the London area.
Accelerator is excited to be helping James develop this company which has the ability to make a significant contribution to reducing London’s carbon footprint whilst saving commuters money.
Anyone wishing to trial the beta service should contact: info@carbonvoyage.com
About Carbon Voyage
Carbon Voyage Ltd. is a car-booking service that costs less and cuts the carbon of using transport. With real-time technology, Carbon Voyage matches journey request with others to enable sharing. It also finds cars on return journeys that would otherwise be empty. These two steps radically cut the cost and carbon associated with private car hire. Clients range from individuals to FTSE companies. Carbon Voyage is a privately funded limited company founded in 2009 and headquartered in London.
To find out more, visit www.carbonvoyage.com