EMPLOYEES who use public transport to get to work but need temporary use of a car during the day are being targeted by a new car club launched in Leeds.

The scheme, called WhizzGo, aims to offer inhabitants the use of a car without the associated costs.

The company behind the plans aims to launch similar car club schemes in other UK towns and cities and will use Citroen C3s. It expects to source up to 120 cars a year as the scheme rolls out.

WhizzGo has a 10-year contract with Leeds City Council to run the car club in conjunction with West Yorkshire Passenger Executive (Metro) and CarPlus, the Government- funded car club agency.

There are six levels of membership, with rates ranging from £3.95 for an hour’s use. The cars are being supplied by Citroen dealer Reg Vardy, Leeds, and operated on three-year, 30,000-mile contract hire agreements with HSBC Vehicle Leasing.

They are fitted with advanced INVERS onboard smart card recognition equipment, which restricts access and usage of the car to the member that has booked it at the time and also records time and distance for each hire.

Ninety special on-street WhizzGo free car parking bays are provided throughout the city by Leeds City Council.