Bristol launches commute sharing scheme to reduce emissions

Transport is currently the most polluting sector in the UK, so Bristol City Council has launched a new app to try to bring these emissions down.  

The new commute sharing platform Join My Journey is a free online service matching up commuters from the same workplace to share car, cycling and walking journeys.  

Created in partnership with Travelwest and South Gloucestershire Council, business leaders in Bristol and the West of England are being encouraged to sign up.  

Cllr Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: ‘Join My Journey is an innovative platform that solves multiple problems, including cutting travel costs, congestion and pollution. 

‘We encourage businesses and organisations to sign up and create company hubs so their staff can access the benefits of sharing journeys. 

‘With Bristol’s Clean Air Zone starting next week, now is a good time for us all to consider how we can change the way we travel, to reduce our impact on the environment and make the air we breathe cleaner.’  

It’s thought the app could reduce rush hour congestion and help residents to save money, as petrol prices have been rising throughout the year.  

The council says it has reduced carbon emissions by 87% already between 2005 and 2021, as the city has aims to become net zero carbon by 2030.  

A trail of the app was run with the University of the West of England and North Bristol NHS Trust.  

Tony Hudgell, Director of Operational Estates and Facilities for North Bristol NHS Trust, said: ‘The Join My Journey platform is a useful asset to have in our sustainable travel package. With over 12,000 staff, there is a great opportunity for us to help reduce air pollution and get the added benefit of saving costs by sharing a lift.  

‘The online platform works out the logistics of linking people up and was very easy to set up. All we had to do was create a hub and tell our staff about it.  

‘It’s fantastic to have this platform available and we have around 100 members of staff signed up and already sharing lifts. We will be promoting the platform heavily over the coming months to encourage our staff to embrace more sustainable ways to get to work.’  

Image provided by Bristol City Council