Why change how you travel?
Changing the way you travel or travelling less can improve your bottom line through:
- reduced travel-related costs
- reduced fleet costs - fewer vehicles, lower maintenance costs through reduced wear and tear
- reduced land costs through a reduced need for parking facilities
- increased staff productivity - staff can continue working while using public transport.
It also contributes to:
- reduced congestion
- reduced harmful emissions into the environment, such as greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change
- improved quality of the environment, especially in towns and cities with reduced traffic, noise and pollutants.
What you can do
Looking at the whole range of your organisation’s business travel will provide you with the biggest potential for cost savings. The NZTA’s ‘Business travel efficiency guidelines’ will help you to identify what could be improved, and how to do this.
Here are a few practical ideas for introducing travel alternatives in your workplace straight away:
- Encourage staff to walk to meetings in your local town centre or CBD. Follow our tips for safe walking.
- Encourage staff to take public transport (buses or train), or even supply pool bikes, for longer journeys.
- Set up a carpooling or taxi sharing calendar so staff can share rides when travelling to the same destination. Check out our carpooling information and resources.
- Set up face-to-face meeting alternatives such as web, video or phone conferencing facilities.
- Provide for flexible working hours.
- Promote the use of public transport to get to and from the airport.
Is road travel still a necessity?
You can still reduce your ongoing costs and do your bit for the planet by providing staff training in more fuel-efficient driving. Consider these driver training courses:
- Eco driving: For providers of courses in fuel efficient driving techniques, please check the Yellow Pages.
- Commercial business driver training.
- Business and experienced driver training.
Keeping your vehicle fleet well maintained will also help ensure your vehicles are fuel efficient. Check vehicle performance using the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority fleet audit:
The Fuelsaver website also has valuable tips and information on improving fuel efficiency.
Making good vehicle purchasing decisions
When replacing vehicles in your fleet, check the Rightcar website to find out which vehicles are the most fuel efficient before you make your next purchase.
Want help with making your business travel more efficient?
Email us if you'd like advice on workplace travel plans or business travel efficiency.
