TRAVEL
Organisations are limited to a certain extent as to how much they can influence staff to use sustainable modes of transport outside work; how we get from A to B is a personal choice. However, what you can do in work is offer incentives, provide information and develop a travel plan to support staff to make sustainable choices and this may result in everyone rethinking how they get around this planet. Transport is currently responsible for about a quarter of the total UK CO2 emissions; by altering the way we travel we can reduce this significantly.

Travel Plans and incentives

Creating a travel plan for your organisation demonstrates your commitment to sustainable travel options. The travel plan should include things like; an audit to establish what sustainable modes of transport are available, results of a staff questionnaire which will establish travel habits, targets on reducing the amount of car journeys in work time and policies for using sustainable modes of transport such using public transport for journeys over 50 miles.

Incentives could included; cycle mileage (recommended amount is 20p/mile), secure covered cycle storage and shower facilities, bike buying scheme whereby staff repay through their wages at a reduced cost, annual bus pass loan (again repaid through wages),car sharing benefits and personal journey planners for staff.

How much does driving really cost?

When considering the cost of driving, most people only think about how much they pay for petrol and the cost of finance repayments. However, add on insurance, tax, servicing and MOT and the real cost starts to emerge. In 2011 the average running cost of a car is £3,089 (a 21.1% rise on the cost in April 2010). The cost of fuel at £1,720 was based on driving 10,000 miles a year in a Ford Focus. Add on an average loan repayment of £175 / month and the total cost of running a car per year is about £5,489!

What you can do on public transport that you can’t do when driving a car!

Read a book or a magazine
Relax and daydream out of the window
Write plans for your day/ week ahead
Make a phone call
Check your emails and social network sites
Get a snack / hot drink and use the loo (not on a bus!)
Have a nap
Knit a jumper/ scarf (this gets you extra sustainability points!)
Listen in on gossip (and retell to the amusement of your friends)
Connect with people (if that doesn't appeal you can always plug in your MP3!)
Any more?....answers in an email please to clairem@merci.org.uk

How can MERCi help your organisation?

• Sustainability benchmarking of your organisation
• Directory of sustainable goods and service providers in Greater Manchester
• Resources and tool-kits
• Ideas on how to involve your staff, volunteers, board, service users and customers
• Tailored training and workshops