FLEET managers must react to the Government's long-running battle to reduce car dependency by introducing a more diversified form of transport management. The message came from Friends of the Earth's atmosphere and transport senior campaigner Roger Higman at the recent Institute of Car Fleet Management conference.

Stressing that the green lobby group was not anti-car he said: 'Environmental changes facing road transport are extremely significant and can only be tackled by reducing dependency on the car.' As a result he called on fleet managers to become involved in a more diverse form of fleet management which would see employees provided with a company car but also a train ticket if needed.

In campaigning to reduce car use, Higman said: 'We are talking about a serious environmental and social problem well beyond congestion and air pollution. More and more people are arguing for change. We are not talking about getting rid of the car but talking about the alternatives. Sensible fleet managers will react by buying more fuel-efficient and cleaner vehicles and diversify to get businessmen and women to their destinations by an alternative means of transport where possible.'

Such a role for fleet managers has been aired before by both Institute of Car Fleet Management members and Association of Car Fleet Operators leaders. And ICFM council member Roger Glenwright told conference: 'The task of fleet managers is to become mobility managers.'