More than 1,000 people have turned to car-sharing clubs in a bid to beat the capital's commuter problems, new figures reveal today.

Traffic jams, high fuel prices and the congestion charge mean there are now three main car club operators across London with access to almost 70 cars.

Typically, members pay a joining fee of about ?25 and can hire a car for ?3 to ?5 an hour which includes petrol, maintenance, insurance, breakdown and repairs.

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The figures are from Carplus, a charity set up to promote and support car clubs, which says new members are joining every week.

"When car sharing schemes first started, things took a while to get going but now people are catching on to the idea and the benefits are obvious," said Carplus spokeswoman Jane Kingswood.

"It's easier and more convenient than hiring a car without the hassle and expense of owning one. We reckon an average driver doing about 8,000 miles a year could save around ?1,000.

"It's also better for the environment and you don't have to scrabble around for ages looking for a parking space."

The biggest club, Streetcar, opened last year, based on a scheme in New York. It has 800 members and a fleet of 40 VW Golfs parked in 22 locations.

Their goal is to have 60 cars in London-by April before looking at other cities. "We offer car ownership but in bite-size pieces," said founder Andrew Valentine. "Our members are all sorts of people. Some use the car for 30 minutes, others hire them out for weeks."

Another car club, Smart Moves, started in 1999 and now acts as a coordinator for several clubs across the country, including the London City Car Club.

Managing director Chas Ball negotiates with councils to provide parking and exclude cars from the congestion charge.

"Car clubs are now essentially part of the public transport hierarchy," he said. "It is curious that a carbased solution offers potential salvation." Environmental and transport groups are supportive.

" They have been slow to take in this country compared with, say, Switzerland," said Steve Hounshamof campaign group Transport

2000. "But once people see the advantages they will grow more rapidly."

Transport for London says it backs car clubs as part of a wider bid to reduce car ownership.

But a spokesman added: "They still contribute to congestion and we would urge people to use public transport whenever possible."

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