"Pay-as-you-go' is a new way to get the use of a car without actually having to own one 365 days a year. If you don't think you'll use a car every day, do the sums in terms of 'cost per hour' or 'days used' and you'll soon convince yourself to look at this new alternative.
If you live in London or an inceasing number of the UK's bigger cities or towns then there's a new alternative to actually owning ur1stcar - you can have use of a car by the hour, day, weekend or week!
The advantages
- You don't have to buy a car and hence there's no depreciation
- You don't have any of the running costs to pay
- You don't have to find somewhere to park it
The disadvantages
- There might not be one near you
- You have to plan ahead
Generally, you sign-up at one the pay-as-you-go car company's website and are sent a swipe card. You'll have to give them your bank or credit card details so they can charge you. You find out where the cars are located and book them on-line. Using the card you get access to the car at your alloted time and then off you go. Re-swiping your card when you've finished will determine how long you'll pay for. You'll need to return it clean, ready for the next user or you'll be charged a fee.
WhizzGo has the lowest age limit of 18 but you have to have had held a full licence for 12 months. Their smart card costs £25 and there is a returnable insurance deposit of £125 to pay up front. They have cars available in London, Manchester, Belfast, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, Southampton, St Albans, York and Worcester but no longer in Winchester.
Streetcar has an age limit of 19 , as long as you have held a full licence for a year. You register on line and there is a £50 annual fee but it is a great way to have the use of a car (or a van) when you need it. They are available in well over 100 locations in London but also in Brighton, Southampton, Guildford, Maidstone and Cambridge.
City Car Club rents in London, Edinburgh, Bath, Brighton, Bristol, Portsmouth, Norwich and Camberley. There is a £75 joining fee and you have to be over 21.
Zip Car currently rents only in London, has a £50 joining fee and you also have to be over 21.
OptionC rents in Durham, Chester-le-Street and Newcastle, has a £25 joining fee, a returnable insurance deposit of £100 and you have to have held a full licence for 12 months to join.
Do the sums, use the pay-as-you-go cars properly and you might just save a small fortune. |
