The Government is stepping up its campaign to encourage more people to car share, with the publication of a new survey confirming that uptake is increasing.

Transport minister Rosie Winterton said the survey, the first of its kind to be undertaken by the Department for Transport, showed that 61% of those surveyed had taken part in some form of car sharing in the past month and that 25% of those said the last journey was work/business related.

However, just 1% said they were a member of a formal lift-sharing scheme run by their employer or another organisation.

It is these formal lift-sharing schemes that the Government is keen to see established.

“Car sharing helps reduce congestion, tackle pollution and carbon emissions and importantly, cut the costs of travelling.

"While this research shows that informal car sharing is popular, it highlights that formal schemes run by employers are still in a small minority,” Ms Winterton said.

“I encourage employers to consider whether introducing a car sharing scheme for their organisation could help them reduce their carbon footprint and provide quicker, more convenient journeys for staff.”

The DfT runs the National Business Travel Network to promote the take-up of workplace travel plans among businesses, which can include car sharing.

The department has also published guidance for employers considering implementing car sharing schemes.