Inspired by the efforts in the Manchester community, a car sharing company has launched a brand new, free community car share scheme to help move essential services around Manchester as the crisis intensifies.
Karshare aims to establish a fleet of 10,000 cars, on loan from members of the local community, to be used by health workers, care workers, charity workers, food banks and NHS staff, absolutely free of charge. Initially launched in Bristol, the scheme has seen over 500 people loan their cars to date.
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Local people are asked to donate their unused cars for at least a week
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The scheme will see them cleaned and sanitised ahead collection
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The cars will be inspected for roadworthiness and fully insured by Karshare
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They will then be given to Manchester-based frontline workers, NHS staff, charities and food banks who can use them to keep essential goods and services moving in Manchester
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After a week they will be fully cleaned and returned to their owners
Karshare is the latest innovation from Car & Away who launched at Gatwick Airport in 2017, allowing passengers at the airport to rent out their vehicles whilst on holiday.
Karshare founder Andy Hibbert explained: “We’re already partnered with Gatwick and Bristol Airports where we run a service renting out people’s cars when they go on holiday. We started thinking about how we could make a difference in the current situation and the principle is exactly the same.
“The average car already sits unused for 96% of the time, even more so now as most of us are staying at home. These cars could really be helping so many vulnerable people given there are many care workers and charities within the community that need transportation support right now.”
Andy Hibbert continues: “If you have a car you’re not going to need for the next week or two, we can put it to good use, doing good in Manchester. See how you can help by visiting www.karshare.com.”
QBE Insurance Group is providing the insurance, the RAC is covering roadside assistance and The Assured Group is providing the cleaning of all cars.
For further information please visit https://www.karshare.com
