Why sharing is caring for the environment

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The incident was not particularly unusual but as I saw the driver swerve around me, waving his arms and beeping his horn, I realised it was just another day on Dubai's roads. We've all heard it before - Dubai's lack of transport infrastructure. The roads and rail link should have been thought of beforehand. But Dubai is still a young city. The metro is being constructed, albeit a little late, and is due for completion over the next few years. Walking around the city isn't an option during the hot months so in the meantime we rely on our gas-guzzling 4x4s and taxis.

There are a number of alternatives that should be considered which not only help to relieve congestion, but are also eco-friendly and can be utilised in a positive way by businesses.

Dubai-based website, www.carshareme.com, was launched six weeks ago and so far has over 2500 members. The website introduces people taking the same routes as each other in order for them to share a lift to work.

Trying to persuade more people to use such eco-friendly initiatives is difficult.

It is not just about congestion, it is also about the environment. A 2004 Land Cruiser travelling 18,000 kilometres can emit over 15,000 pounds of carbon dioxide to the environment every year, and CO2 is one of the largest factors of global warming.

Trying to persuade more people to use such eco-friendly initiatives is difficult. A collective nod of the head and five minutes later carshareme is forgotten about.

But with cheap petrol prices and easy access to taxis, where is the incentive? If enough people did actually use the scheme, it could make a difference. It is not only congestion that would be reduced but drivers would also save money on Salik and feel good about reducing CO2 emissions. For those cynics, Amit Vyas, managing director, carshareme, advises drivers to observe how many people drive to work alone next time they are stuck in a traffic jam and then realise the difference it could make. With an estimated 15-minute delay for every 25-minute journey made during rush hour, traffic is big business - and not just for Salik.

Traffic is the number one reason for late attendance of meetings in Dubai. As well as introducing individuals, the scheme also has a corporate car sharing system. Such schemes are already used for many workers in Dubai.

Buses filled with security guards and labourers are not an unusual sight in the city. Such a scheme shouldn't be classified for these workers only; Emirates Airline also uses a similar service for its air crew, as do companies including BT and Tesco in the UK.

Workers are guaranteed a lift to work in the mornings while in return businesses are guaranteed production at the beginning of the day. Congestion is reduced and the environmental benefits cannot be denied.

Other great business opportunities to reduce congestion can be found in practice across the globe. Flexcar in the US, for example, is a rent-a-car system which rents by the hour.

There is no paperwork as the car is dropped off in the designated area and members open the door through a special swipe card before finding the keys in the glove compartment.

The upheaval of roads and this week's latest traffic diversions show that Dubai is getting there with efforts to improve the situation, but creating a comprehensive system takes time.

In the meantime, log on, check out who is travelling to work from your area and do something about the traffic, rather than just complain.