Base de données des projets PDR

By using LEADER funds to develop a unique mobile phone application, Tolg village council in Sweden has created a new 'car-pool' system. The local villagers influenced the system design and after 3 weeks there were more than 90 registered users.

The idea of using mobile phones for car-sharing / pooling was born in Tolg, a village 30 km outside Växjö in South Sweden. The villagers found the number of half-empty cars on the roads unacceptable, especially with local people suffering from poor bus services. Although car-pooling was initially perceived as complicated to organize, there was a growing realization of how much money could be saved (and earned) and so the villagers were inspired to start a car-pooling / sharing project.

The main objectives of the project were to: i) use available LEADER funds to develop a new mobile phone application for a car-pooling scheme in Tolg village; ii) to market the scheme to the local community, and; iii) to provide training for users.

A survey was initially launched in Tolg to test the interest of local villagers in a car-pool. A new mobile phone application was developed. Several meetings were organised to decide routes and stops, the payment system, how to deal with transporting children etc. The system was then piloted by about 10 people. A big launch party was organised to present the car-pool, during which participants could sign up and get on-site support. On-going improvement of the system is based on user feed-back.

One month after the start of the scheme, there were a total of 93 registered users (out of 500 possible) and 2 490 car-sharing km already accumulated. Many new stops were quickly created in the village and there are now between 5 to 10 'runs' to choose from for those who want to go to town (Växjö), both earlier and later than the bus. Car-sharing has become an accepted and positive alternative - and freedom for those without a car! The project was nominated for the Swedish 'Rural Award 2011'.

The most important success factor has been 'anchoring' the project in the community and securing strong ownership amongst local people - especially by allowing users to strongly influence the design of the system by making-up new routes etc. For various reasons (social, economic, practical or environmental) the time was clearly right for car-pooling in Tolg - and other communities are encouraged to follow their good example!

In the village of Tolg, 30 km outside Växjö in Southern Sweden.

Kronobergs län

Sweden

30 000

9 000

16 500

4 500

https://www.mobilsamakning.se/mobilsamakning_Home.aspx

Maja Söderberg

maja@mobilsamakning.se

+46 735 811 422

English, Swedish