The University of Reading has been awarded Sustainability Programme of the Year at Public Sector Travel’s annual Engage Awards, following the implementation of its Hertz 24/7 car share club.

The on-campus scheme gives the university’s staff and students around-the-clock access to a self-service fleet of low emission vehicles, reducing traffic congestion, carbon emissions and pressure on the campus’ parking spaces.

Michel Taride, group president, Hertz International, said: “Hertz 24/7 on-campus car club has been operating at the University of Reading for the last three years, driving a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

“The Sustainability Programme of the Year accolade is an important recognition of the University of Reading’s efforts to offer cost-effective alternatives to traditional transport as well as to Hertz’s dedication to delivering smart mobility and environmentally friendly solutions.” 

Dr Karen Stanbridge, sustainable travel coordinator at the University of Reading, said:  “It is very exciting to win this award.

“Our Hertz 24/7 on-campus car club allows staff and students to travel to the University by alternative means of transport and access a Hertz 24/7 vehicle to attend meetings in locations that may not be easily accessed by public transport.

“The Hertz 24/7 car club is just one of many travel initiatives introduced in recent years in our university to reduce its carbon footprint. Given so, it is very gratifying to be rewarded for these achievements.”

Hertz 24/7 vehicles are located on campus at the University of Reading can be booked on line, over the phone or by using a smartphone app.

As with all 24/7 vehicles, the RFID technology allows scheme’s members keyless entry to any vehicle in the fleet, as well as to those in any Hertz 24/7 location around the world.

A few vehicles can therefore be shared by a number of people improving utilization and reducing costs. While on the road drivers have 24/7 one-touch access to the Member Care Centre through the in-car, hands-free telecom technology.

GPS tracking allows the savings in fuel and CO2 to be measured. 

The University of Reading’s Car Club has been operating for 36 months, and since its inception, over 38,000 miles (60,000km) have been driven on staff and students travel saving 4500 Kilos of CO2.

In addition, analysis of booking patterns has allowed the 24/7 fleet for the University of Reading to be right sized according to demand patterns – contributing to further savings in cost and CO2.

In addition to Reading University, Hertz 24/7 works with Imperial College London, Oxford Brookes University and London’s Brunel University in the UK. Hertz 24/7 also partners with over 50 universities in the United States.

More articles on: