PEOPLE on the move in Kirklees will soon be able to thumb a lift - without even leaving their chair.
Kirklees Council has set up a new internet car-sharing scheme, which allows people to arrange lifts online.
The scheme is not just for work journeys, but for trips to any destination.
Jon Gunby, a Kirklees transport planner, said the idea was to reduce travel costs, congestion and pollution.
He added: "It could be used by anyone for anything.
"We are working with Huddersfield University, because we expect students might use it for travelling home or going to festivals.
"People can also use it for commuting, or even activities like football matches.
"The more people who register the more likely it is that everyone can find a lift to match their journey."
But it is not just people seeking lifts who will benefit.
Those giving the lifts can ask for contributions towards the cost of the journey.
To arrange a car-share all people need to do is access the website www.carsharekirklees.com and register their journey details.
The system will then tell them if anyone else is going in the same direction.
It allows members to make contact through a secure connection, meaning their email addresses are not revealed.
The computer system has been designed by specialist car-sharing company Liftshare, which has set up more than 300 car-sharing schemes across the UK.
It now has 57,000 members registered on one central database.
This means travellers can look for lifts from the whole database or just from their own community.
Mr Gunby said: "We are not the first authority do this.
"Most West Yorkshire authorities have a similar system.
"But it is new for our district and we hope people will get on board with it."
The website is available to view online now.
But the scheme will not be launched until June 14 - to mark National Lift Sharing Day.
