Sustainable travel advice on hand for City centre shoppers

Inverness city centre shoppers will get the chance on Saturday (28 October) to learn more about the growing opportunities for travelling in ways that save them money, keep them safer and benefit the environment.

HITRANS, the Regional Transport Partnership for the Highlands and Islands, is working with partners to hold a Sustainable Travel event in the pedestrian area on the High Street near the entrance to Marks and Spencer.

Between 10am – 3pm, passers-by are welcome to chat to specialists on a range of issues including an opportunity to find out about the benefits of joining one of the city’s two new car club operators, liftsharing, walking and cycling routes and winter safety, and local bus services.

Police Scotland will also be present to highlight the safe distance for motorists to keep between their vehicles and cyclists through their operation ‘Close Pass’ Initiative.

HITRANS and Sustrans Scotland will be at the event to provide free emergency bike lights, puncture repair kits and high visibility goodies.

The introduction of car clubs is proving increasingly popular with members of the public wishing for easy to book short-term car hire from a central location.

Stagecoach will be on site to promote local bus services, and D+E coaches have provided a range of timetables for locals to pick up.

HITRANS has appointed a project officer Sean Cowell to promote the development of car clubs in the Highlands. Sean will be on hand with representatives of E-Car Club and Enterprise Car Club to explain the scheme. The car club operators will be offering a reduced £1 membership fee and free usage hours for those who sign up on the day.

Drew Hendry, MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey who is already a member of the local car clubs said: “From my experience car clubs offer a simple, cost effective way for businesses and the general public to have occasional access to a car without the cost and hassle of owning a car or buying a second vehicle.”

Councillor Allan Henderson, Chair of HITRANS, said: “Taking a presence in Inverness city centre on a busy Saturday gives us a great opportunity to get our messages across to the public.

“We are working very hard to promote sustainable and cheaper ways for people to travel, freeing roads of cars, and at the same time keeping them safer.”