Log on for a lift

TravelChoice.org provides up to date information about bus, train and ferry routes and timetables, road conditions and weather information as well as help with cycling and walking.

And the new site links to a national database for car sharing where more than 31,000 people are already registered.

Once registered on to the site, which is completely free, users will be able to register the journey they want to make, whether regularly or for a special occasion, and search for someone to share with.

Anyone not able to access the site through the Internet can register on the car share database by phoning Freephone 08700 11 11 99.

Security has been taken seriously.

No one is able to make direct contact with anyone else without a formal introduction by the database operators.

Both drivers and passengers can decide the type of person they wish to share with. They might, for example, specify a non-smoker who supports Brighton and Hove Albion, while women might choose to share only with women.

The introduction of TravelChoice.org follows the success of the county council's trial of a staff car share database.

Launching the site, Cllr Tony Reid, member for transport, said: 'We want to help people make informed travel choices. Car sharing is a good way of saving money and helping to reduce the amount of traffic on the road.'

The TravelChoice web site can be found at www.travelchoice.org.