Car sharing is a great way of reducing motoring costs, writes Geraldine Herbert In recent years, car sharing has become increasingly popular in cities around the world, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a great way to reduce the cost of running a car, make money from yours when you’re not using it, or get occasional access to one if you don’t have your own. From giving lifts to friends and colleagues to joining a car club, there’s a car-sharing option to suit everyone. CARPOOLING If you have room in your car on your daily commute or school run, why not set up a carpool with colleagues or other parents? A carpool is really just a regular lift-giving arrangement, but it can lighten the load of drop-offs, pick-ups or journeys to work. Plus, as your car will clock up fewer miles, you can save money on maintenance, fuel and repairs. RENT OUT YOUR CAR The average car sits idle for about 23 hours every day, so why not lend it to a friend, neighbour or even a stranger and make some money out of it? You can rent it out through a website such as www.jointhefleet.com. While many drivers won’t want to give up their beloved cars, for some people owning a car is simply not an option, so renting someone else’s makes perfect sense. Ultimately it means less congested streets, fewer emissions and less of a burden on public transport. CAR CLUBS Car clubs such as GoCar allow members to borrow cars for short periods of time. Using a smartphone app, you can reserve cars at nearby locations minutes in advance. There’s normally a one-off membership fee to pay or a monthly subscription charge, depending on the plan you sign up to. Prices for a round trip with GoCar start at €8 per hour or €60 per day. Listen back here to Geraldine Herbert talking about Car Sharing to Newstalk Breakfast Geraldine Herbert 19 August,...