Travel smart

Reduce your car trips

Here are some ideas on how you can reduce your car trips and help the environment:

• catch public transport more often. Check out the MAXX website for 24 hour information and personal journey planners for trains, buses and ferries, or call 09 366 6400 (or 0800 10 30 80 if outside the local calling area)
• walk short distances (and help get fit!). Vehicles create more pollution during the first 3 kilometres. One third of all car trips in New Zealand are less than 2 kilometers
• Get on your bike. Every cyclist on the road means there is one less car clogging up the motorways and roads of the region. It's great for your personal fitness too. Visit Travelwise for information about cycling routes
• can it wait? You may be able to blend two trips into one
• can you do some of your work from home? Working from home just one day a week can cut 6% off your weekly fuel bill
• consider carpooling. Does someone at work live nearby? Do any of your neighbours work near you?
• walk your children to school. Overseas studies show children are likely to inhale at least 3 times as much air pollution strapped into a vehicle than children walking along the same street. School drop off areas can cause major traffic congestion and increased harmful vehicle emissions.