Also, there will be only three trains heading down to London on the day, and on Sunday the trains are likely to be disrupted with buses replacing trains for part of the route.

So what’s the alternative?…

goCarShare is calling on Liverpool fans driving down to Wembley Stadium on May 5th for the FA Cup Final to help out fellow fans.

By adding journey details here, Liverpool fans in need of a lift will be able to contact them and arrange to share a car journey. Passengers will contribute around £30 for petrol so it will definitely help with petrol costs.

Even if you are planning on travelling down with people – it would be really helpful if you added your journey.

You can do it here…

goCarShare also run a special page for Liverpool fans.

To be honest, none of it has been worn that much in the car, or even out in the wild as we imagine was the intention, though Drummond has taken to wearing the beanie in the office.

Anyway this Easter Drummond is off on a trip to the Isle of Uist so there will be a good opportunity to give the gear a proper test from the best the Scottish weather can throw at it. In case you wondering how he is getting there, yes, he will be car sharing. It’s a good 12 hours from London to Uist, so I imagine there will be a few breaks involved along the way.

Have a fun easter all, and yes, if you are planning on travelling anywhere and fancy saving a bit of cash, it would be great if you put your seats on goCarShare.

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We are just getting started, but here’s a sneak preview of what’s on offer… The Silverstone Grand Prix, you can car share to the Olympics, or even car share to the next trade show that you are heading to.

We’ve got big plans for our events page… we are aiming to have over 1,000 events to car share in the not too distant future.

In the meantime, have a little peak here.

You might think that the NASA space shuttle doesn’t have much in common with your car; and, well, you’d be right. Your van might be big and white, and your old banger might have flames coming out of its exhaust pipe, but neither can fly to the moon – no matter how quickly you take speed bumps.

It’s a good thing, too: if you feel like your commute is a drag now, imagine travelling the 3 days and 238,854 miles that the Apollo missions had to in order to land on the moon. And though car insurance companies offer comprehensive van insurance these days, even specialist space insurance companies find it difficult to get a quote for the smallest satellite that’s less than billions of dollars.

Still, the many space missions that have launched into orbit over the years have a closer relationship with your motor than you might think. It’s not just our understanding of the galaxy that space travel has expanded: it’s our understanding of the way the natural world and technological creations work in harmony. So, since man first dipped his toe in intergalactic travel, his explorations have helped make travel on earth quicker, quieter, safer and kinder to the environment.

For instance, did you know that lubricants used to help the massive trailers that move space shuttles around the launch pads are now used in cars? The greasy substance had to be fantastically effective to manage the massively heavy loads: without its boosters, the Shuttle ‘Endeavour’ weighed a monumental 78,000 kg, while an average four-door car weighs just 1,670 kg. What’s more, the lubricant’s completely biodegradable!

A space shuttle is strapped to a rocket to get it into space – but how does it detach from the hot, heavy lump of metal once it’s safely off the earth? The answer is explosives – for which rescue crews have found an innovative new use. They power hand-held metal cutters used to chop and slice the metal of wrecked cars, so accident victims can be retrieved and moved to saf≠ety. The cheap, effective ‘Jaws of Life’ equipment is used across the world to save lives.

And NASA also save lives on the race track – the space missions’ influence on NASCAR’s cars has been huge. As well as better, stronger, lighter tyres and more effective brakes, their shuttle technology has helped combat the extremely hot conditions that a car experiences at high speeds. Did you know that the parts of a race car which reach the most extreme temperatures (like brake drums, engine parts and the exhaust) are all coated in heat-resistant paint that’s based on NASA’s research?

And the revolutionary materials which protected spacecraft reaching blistering speeds are now used to protect drivers: without the space-age insulation, it’s estimated that temperatures within a speeding NASCAR would reach 160 degrees. Their technology touches even the smallest details: fabric which won’t burn that was first designed to protect astronauts is now used to clothe drivers and pit crew members.

All of which proves that NASA aren’t just stargazers – they’re looking for applied technologies to help life on earth. And they’re looking to the future: in 2008, they helped a company that produces lithium-ion battery vehicles to develop and test a fleet of electric vehicles. Aimed at city-dwellers and commuters, the zero-emission cars now lead the market when it comes to green driving.

It’s not about getting into a car with a ‘stranger’… it’s about sharing a ride with someone you know that you are likely to get on with.

If you are going to a festival, choose someone who likes the same bands; If you are student travelling home from university, travel with someone who you’ve got mutual friends with on Facebook; Going to a football match? Well obviously go with someone who likes the same team and talk tactics to your heart’s content.

Why are we spending so much time doing this, helping people share car journeys? We think it makes more sense to have one car of four people than four cars with one person in each.

It cuts carbon and congestion, saves everyone money and it’s great fun.

It’s a simple solution for a big problem… now that the technology is here and that there is genuine will amongst people to make positive changes, everything is in place for car sharing to become mainstream.

It would be great if you join us for the ride and help us make car sharing ‘normal’.

1. Share a Car with a Fellow Student or Friend

If you wish to go anywhere during the holiday season, it may be in your best interest to share a car with somebody you trust.

Maybe you want to go to the movies, or perhaps you simply need to pick up a few things at a store. Ask the people around you, be they a neighbour, a family member or a friend, if they are running any errands or taking on any activities that could correspond with your own. If they are, go along with them and have them drop you off when everything is done. 

Of course you can find someone on goCarShare too.

2. Look for Cheaper Insurance If It Is Time to Renew

If it is time to renew your car insurance, it would be in your best interest to find a provider with cheaper options.

Car insurance for young drivers can be expensive, and both parents and the young driver can suffer with their finances as a result.

Do some research online to find a company with low prices. Check reviews from past and current customers to discover if there have been any problems with a certain company. Finding cheaper car insurance for young drivers may seem difficult, but with some effort and feedback from other people, you can find something that works for you.

3. Do Not Drive Unless Necessary

Another way to save money on your car involves driving only when it is absolutely necessary. Some students are restless when they do not have to attend any classes or tackle homework; as a result, they are tempted to take their car out and drive it anywhere and everywhere. This can result in more gas that needs to be purchased, leading to more money spent. If you need to go somewhere, see if you can get somebody to give you a ride, as mentioned in the tip above. If this is not an option, use your car.

4. Have the Car Checked By a Professional

The health of your car is important. If it is not in good shape, you cannot expect it to work as it should. If you live in an area that deals with severe winter conditions, make sure that you have an auto mechanic look over your car before snow falls.

A professional will be able to spot any problems before they become too serious. You should make sure that your heater, brakes, tires and so on are not worn or in trouble in any way. Should something break down, you could end up paying a large bill, or become stranded at the worst possible time. If you take precautions, however, you should be fine.

Please add a request, whether you need a cheap lift back, or you think that you’ll have space in your car and could do with someone chipping in for petrol money.

Here are some of the pages St Andrews, Edinburgh, Bristol, Manchester… or you can find your uni on our University page.

You’ll notice that lots of people have already added requests, which is great, but it would be good if you could help us get the word spreading word further.

Basically the vision for this is big – it will mean that whenever you are heading out of town, you’ll be able to share the ride with a friend of friend, even choose to share the journey with someone who likes the same music.

It’s kind of a case of you help us and we help you, you scratch our back and we’ll scratch yours, or something like that.

So here’s the ask… copy and paste this into your Facebook status…

‘For those about to goCarShare – We Salute You!’.

That’s it! Yes it’s a bit silly, maybe even a bit embarrassing. But we are in this together, remember!

Take care,

The goCarShare Team

Select the right vehicles

The type of cars you run will of course make a huge impact on the money you need to pay out both on an annual and day-to-day basis. When purchasing new cars you should consider factors like the vehicle’s fuel-efficiency, the tax bracket it falls into and the condition of the car itself. Many fleet owners want their vehicles to make a good impression when they are out on the roads or seen by associates and it can be tempting to opt for flashier models on this basis. However, before you do this make sure you fully consider the long-term running costs of the vehicle. Besides, what better impression can be created than to show your firm is aware of social and environmental responsibility?

Shop around for the best price

Whether it’s making sure you have got the best price for your fleet insurance, or securing a good price on services and valeting with a garage, spending some time conducting research can make you significant savings. Speaking to insurance specialists who understand the needs of a fleet better may mean you get a better value and more tailored package, so look at the offerings of the likes of Staveley Head fleet insurance. When it comes to car maintenance, often when you have a number of vehicles and can offer repeat business, you are able to negotiate a better deal; so don’t be afraid to ask if there is any flexibility with prices.

Make the most of what you’ve got

Rather than supplying company cars direct to employees, it can be more beneficial to set up a car pool or sharing scheme. Having a set number of vehicles that can be used by a number of employees, rather than individuals, will help you cut the volume of cars you need to buy and run, helping you to reduce your outgoings.

Car sharing can also help the environment too. If you do have a fleet of cars that are driven by a number of individuals, don’t forget to make sure they are all adequately insured.

If you click on these, it will take you to our new registration system – this is good news if you don’t have a Facebook account as it means that you can use goCarShare, whereas previously you couldn’t.

However, we would very much encourage anyone who has a Facebook account to continue to login using Facebook, as:

1) It’s much quicker.
2) Other users can see if you can share friends or music taste, which will mean that they are more likely to make contact with you.
3) You can post car share requests so your Facebook friends know where you are going (don’t worry though we’ll only ever post notifications to Facebook if you ask us first).

So for most of you, this shouldn’t make much of a difference, but for those of you with a deep hatred or at least suspicion of Facebook, you can now use goCarShare without using Facebook.

We are doing a big push to get people car sharing around New Year. Why? Well with so many people driving around the country and beyond, we think it could work really well. Also with everyone in the festive spirit and looking to start the new year by doing something positive, it seems like the perfect time.

Obviously petrol prices have got very expensive for a lot of people, so a contribution to their petrol prices would be very welcome. And as goCarShare is built around Facebook, you can share journeys with friends, and friends of friends; you’ll be surprised about the likelihood that someone who is directly connected to you is going your way.

So if you are one of the 80,000 heading to the Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations or you are heading to the madness that is going on in London, or even just going to see some mates somewhere random, if you think that it’s likely you’ll have a space in your car, it would be great if you added it on goCarShare!