GOCO launches with Hab Oakus in Swindon (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

GOCO launches with Hab Oakus in Swindon

GO! Co-operative Limited —trading as GOCO — a multi-stakeholder, sustainable travel co-operative, is to launch the first car club in Swindon.

Robin and Kevin

The GOCO CAR car club has been developed in partnership with Hab Oakus, developer of The Triangle, a new high-quality, sustainable 42-home development, one mile north of Swindon rail station in Northern Road.

The car club, operating initially with two cars, is available to residents moving in to The Triangle, as well as all other Swindon residents. It offers residents and businesses the opportunity of booking a car for an hour or more to provide a sustainable travel option.

Hab Oakus is a partnership between Kevin McCloud’s company Hab and housing group, GreenSquare. GOCO CAR will also involve partner organisations including Commonwheels to provide online bookings and offer the benefit of its nationwide network of car clubs. Swindon Borough Council, SEAT and Arval are also supporting the development of the car club.

“We’re pleased to be working with GOCO on this vital community-based initiative,” said Mr McCloud, of Hab Oakus. “Car clubs are a fantastic means of allowing people to save money and fuel whilst enjoying the benefits of car ownership.”

Robin Pointon, of GOCO, said: “There are now approaching 150,000 members of car clubs across the UK. They offer you the convenience of the car without the burden of owning one. You pay for a car when you need it, not when you don’t, plus help to reduce carbon emissions through reduced car ownership and use of vehicles with lower CO2 levels.

“Using The Triangle development as the catalyst, with the support of local partners and residents, we will be developing the car club across Swindon.”

Hab Oakus is the joint venture between Mr McCloud’s company Hab and housing group GreenSquare which develops thoughtfully designed places and homes that respect local context and biodiversity, where residents feel a strong sense of belonging.

Hab Oakus champions sustainable living and homes that are environmentally efficient to build and run.

GOCO’s ambitions go beyond just being an operator of timetabled train services on the National Rail Network. The co-operative is also developing car clubs, bus links and travel hubs to enable communities to access sustainable transport options.

For more information on the car club or to sign up to the Commonwheels network, go to www.goco.coop/car