City Car Club members Ailsa and Sophia recently appeared on STV explaining the benefits of joining the club, for themselves and the environment. To read more follow the link to the Too Good to Waste website.
Many thanks to Ailsa and Sophia for their support.
Book now for the holidays!
It’s going to be a busy time for City Cars and Vans. So, whether you’re planning a spring clean, visiting relatives or just picking up supplies from the garden centre, don’t miss out and make your bank holiday bookings now. Let’s just hope the weather behaves!
If your local car or van is already booked just give the Clubhouse a call and we’ll do our best to find you an alternative.
Mileage fee
As we are sure you will be aware, the price of petrol and diesel at the pumps has seen a dramatic rise in the last few years. It is currently at an all time high and only looks to go higher. Our mileage fee usually fluctuates in line with the cost of fuel, but for now, we have decided to help keep your costs down during April by holding our mileage charge at 22p.
24,000 members strong
March saw City Car Club reach an all time high of 24,000 members. This is a great achievement for everyone involved with the club, and proof that car clubs are moving from niche to mainstream as a convenient and cost-effective alternative to car ownership. It could also not have happened without the help of our supportive members.
Why not spread the word further and refer a friend? Once they become a member you’ll both receive £20 free driving credit.
Manchester set for expansion
We are pleased to announce that we have been successful in a tender to continue operating in Manchester. The tender was very competitive and against several other interested parties. This allows us to work in partnership with Manchester City Council to expand our network of cars and on-street bays across the city. We have plans to grow the fleet to around 100 vehicles by 2014. Watch this space!
More Toyota’s coming soon
For those members who have been full of praise for the Toyota Yaris in the past few months, there is some great news. We have recently signed a deal to add 125 more Toyotas to our fleet over the course of this year. These include more Toyota Yaris’ equipped with Sat Nav’s, the new Yaris Hybrid when it is launched during the middle part of the year, and the very nippy new Aygo.
City Car Club have teamed up with Gourmet Society to give members the opportunity to get up to 50% OFF at around 5500 restaurants with a 3 month free trial to the Gourmet Society. Restaurants include Michelin-starred establishments, everyday family favourites, country gastro-pubs and national chains such as Prezzo, Café Rouge, Revolution, Living Room and Loch Fyne. There is a huge choice and each restaurant offers members; 2 for 1 meals, 50% off Food or 25% off food and drink.
PLUS – You will even receive a discounted rate of £39.95 (40% off RRP) should you wish to continue onto a full membership at the end of your trial.
To find out how to access this exclusive offer email memberoffers@citycarclub.co.uk with your name and membership number. A member of the team will respond with the details you will need.
For other offers visit our exclusive member offer page.
Car Club in York has increased in size by two vehicles and the York Car Club now includes three fantastic FIAT500 Twin Air cars. These cars have been very popular elsewhere and include sun roof, Bluetooth compatibility and lowest emission petrol engine in the world.
These changes have been in preparation for a three month trial with City of York Council to assess the scope for future use of City Car Club by City of York Council. As a result we will be opening two new locations in York at Hazel Court and North Street. We hope that the trial will be a great success and the start of high levels of Car Club usage by City of York Council, enabling us to expand the Car Club in the coming months and years.
In December 2011, independent body Carplus carried out an annual survey to give members of car clubs the opportunity to feedback on their experience. In total, 1255 City Car Club members completed the questionnaire. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took the time out to complete this for us, it helps us to work to continuously improve our service and address any issues that may have arisen.
Overall the results were extremely positive. Some key findings include:
• 94% of all members reported a high level of overall satisfaction with City Car Club. Only 0.8% believed their experience with City Car Club to be very poor.
• In total the respondents reported to have reduced the number cars they own by 400 vehicles. If we assume the same rate applies to all our 23,000 members that equates to 9200 fewer cars on the UK’s roads.
• 95% are likely to refer City Car Club to a friend, family member or work colleague.
• 96% have had a positive experience when dealing with the Clubhouse team. Remember if you refer a friend you both receive £20 driving credit.
Whilst the results are extremely useful, we are also constantly listening to your feedback in order to improve our service. If you have any suggestions please feel free to get in touch.
As a thank you we have drawn one lucky member from a hat to win.
The winner of the £25 driving credit is………. Kerri Woods from Edinburgh.
Big thankyou again to everyone!
In December 2011, independent body Carplus carried out an annual survey to give members of car clubs the opportunity to feedback on their experience. In total, 1255 City Car Club members completed the questionnaire. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took the time out to complete this for us, it helps us to work to continuously improve our service and address any issues that may have arisen.
Overall the results were extremely positive. Some key findings include:
• 94% of all members reported a high level of overall satisfaction with City Car Club. Only 0.8% believed their experience with City Car Club to be very poor.
• In total the respondents reported to have reduced the number cars they own by 400 vehicles. If we assume the same rate applies to all our 23,000 members that equates to 9200 fewer cars on the UK’s roads.
• 95% are likely to refer City Car Club to a friend, family member or work colleague.
• 96% have had a positive experience when dealing with the Clubhouse team. Remember if you refer a friend you both receive £20 driving credit.
Whilst the results are extremely useful, we are also constantly listening to your feedback in order to improve our service. If you have any suggestions please feel free to get in touch.
As a thank you we have drawn one lucky member from a hat to win.
The winner of the £25 driving credit is………. Kerri Woods from Edinburgh.
Big thankyou again to everyone!
We’re pleased to announce that we now have a new bay at Millar Crescent, close to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
We hope that this car will be of use to you as they make up part of the increasing network of City Car Club bays across the city. With several other cars within just a few minutes walk, choosing a car for your next trip has just got even easier.
In a recent report by the RAC it was suggested that on average it now costs around £6500 a year to own and run a car. With maintenance, insurance, parking permits and ever rising fuel prices at what point does this cost reach tipping point? How much of your wage would you be willing to give up before it simply becomes too much? For a growing number that level has already been reached but it is only when you stop to think about it that the full cost of owning a car becomes clear.
Let’s face it, for many car ownership is critical to way of life, especially for those living in rural locations, where there is a lack of decent public transport, and people who simply have to commute to work by car. However, for many city dwellers like me, owning a car is more of a luxury. I don’t need one all the time, just some of the time. When, as the RAC reports, the average weekly cost of this luxury is £129, if you only use this once or twice a week that’s a hefty expense. On top of that you also have the hassle of cleaning, maintenance and parking. Then when you factor in that this £129 is paid when you are on holiday or away it all seems a bit mad!
Last year it was predicted that by 2015 the cost of a tank of petrol could hit £100. This may well be the tipping point for many. However, looking at last year’s 4.4% drop in new car registrations, it seems to be a sign that for a significant number that point has already been reached. It’s scary when you think that in 2002 the average petrol price was just 70p per litre!
This car cost calculator is a useful tool if you want to know how much your car is costing you by the day, week and year. Although it’s worth bearing in mind that the manufacturer’s miles per gallon (mpg) quoted rates are arguably often higher than in reality.
James Finlayson
City Car Club Managing Director
We’re pleased to announce that we have two special offers running throughout January, both of which entitle you to a 30% discount on bookings from certain locations. For more information click here, or to book a City Car or Van click here
This coming Friday and Saturday (16th/17th September) we’re heading to Cardiff to attend the Low Carbon Expo 2011. The event is one of the largest of its kind and is the ideal opportunity for eco-conscious consumers to connect with low carbon producers and service providers.
Our Managing Director, James Finlayson and Sales Manager, Richard Drew will be on hand throughout the two day event to answer questions and listen to any comments about our rapidly growing national service. They will also be showcasing one of our brand new Fiat 500 TwinAir’s, which boast the lowest emission petrol engine in the world!
The free event is being held at the Cardiff Motorpoint arena between 10am-4pm and promises to be an enjoyable and informative couple of days. For more information and to register for your free visitor pass visit the Low Carbon Wales website.
We look forward to seeing you there!
