Dublin City Council is to start using an app-based virtual car pool for council staff to access transport at work.

App provider Fleet App describes its car-sharing service as 'Airbnb for cars,and says it’s part of the Smart Mobility Hub, an SEAI project to find low-cost solutions to integrate transport and reduce congestion in Dublin.

Last month Fleet App closed its first crowdfunding campaign, raising €384,000.

The idea is that council workers will have the option of leaving their car at home, cycle or take public transport to work, but be able to use cars parked by fellow-workers if they need to drive on council business. 

And those whose turn it is to drive to work and make their car available for use will earn a fee for its use.

In Association with

Fleet App chief executive Maurice Sheehy (pictured) said: “We’re very excited about the potential of working with county councils and businesses on this project. Our new app gives people the option to ditch the car, cycle to the office instead, and share vehicles as needed for work.  The model is highly scalable and we hope to roll it out to other councils and private companies with large workforces.”

Apart from the extra income for worker-drivers, councils and other organisations joining the scheme expect significant cost savings from money otherwise spent on taxis and leasing work vehicles.

Launched in 2017, Fleet App vehicle owners owners to rent to tourists, businesses and anyone seeking to get from A to B. Within its first year 16,000 accounts were created and 500 vehicles registered, and the service expanded to Northern Ireland.

The service can manage access both to council-owned electric cars and employees’ own personal vehicles, which can be shared using on-demand insurance. The company says the deal with DCC will act as a pilot for future schemes with other organisations.