The daily commute to work has long been considered one of the least efficient journeys we ever make. Not only is it a time-consuming endeavour, but it also carries a significant environmental cost. In the United Kingdom alone, the daily commute contributes to a staggering 5% of the country's total carbon emissions, equivalent to a whopping 18 million tonnes of CO2e emissions annually. Recognizing the urgent need to address this issue, Zeelo has teamed up with Mobilityways in a groundbreaking partnership designed to accelerate the decarbonization of the daily commute.
The partnership agreement between Zeelo and Mobilityways is poised to redefine the standards for measuring CO2 emissions across the transportation industry. This collaboration will enable close to 1,000 employers to transition to net-zero employee transport, accurately measure and track emissions, and implement cost-effective decarbonization strategies. The ultimate goal? Setting a precedent for carbon net-zero commutes by bus in the UK.
Sam Ryan, co-founder and CEO of Zeelo, highlights the importance of a well-measured and pragmatic approach to achieving net-zero emissions. Mobilityways, with its extensive network of over 700 companies seeking to reduce emissions from their ground transportation operations, provides a strong foundation for this approach. Sam expresses confidence that this partnership would not only accelerate Zeelo's journey towards net-zero emissions but also facilitate clients' transitions to electric bus transport.
Basil Choudhry, Commercial Director at Mobilityways, echoes the excitement about the partnership, highlighting a shared vision for a cleaner and greener future of transportation. Mobilityways' groundbreaking software will be enhanced with Zeelo's tracking technology to create a comprehensive platform for all net-zero commuting requirements. Mobilityways' impressive track record, which includes saving over one billion commuting miles for numerous businesses, underscores their commitment to sustainability.
The Rt. Hon. Jesse Norman MP, Minister for Decarbonization and Technology, also stressed the need for a significant shift in the approach to reducing transport's greenhouse gas emissions during an earlier visit to Prologis DIRFT this year. Zeelo and Mobilityways' partnership adds rigour to the net-zero implementation plans of major UK enterprise businesses, aligning with the broader national goal of reducing carbon emissions.
Prologis DIRFT, one of the most successful rail and road logistics parks in the UK, is leading the charge in adopting Mobilityways' innovative services to track the carbon footprint of its ground transportation. Since the beginning of the year, this partnership has already led to a remarkable reduction of several tons in CO2 emissions.
The success story of Prologis DIRFT showcases how this partnership is already making a difference. Located strategically with road connections to the M1 and the M6/A14 interchange, DIRFT faced a challenge with limited public transport options that didn't align well with employee shift patterns. Zeelo's tailored solution has proven to be fast, green, and smart, helping to attract and retain employees. Bus passes and routes can be tracked live on Zeelo's mobile apps for riders and drivers. Since October 2022, Zeelo has been operating over 700 bus services per month, seven days a week. Nearly 2,000 rides have been booked to transport hundreds of frontline workers to the DIRFT site, and in 2023, new bus routes have been added from Rugby, Daventry, and Northampton. By the end of 2023, DIRFT workers are expected to book a staggering 21,000 Zeelo journeys.
Zeelo has long been dedicated to making a positive environmental impact. We already pass on CO2 emissions savings to our clients and have set a bold target of transitioning all of our services to net-zero emissions battery electric buses by 2030. In fact, nearly 10% of Zeelo's UK clients have already embraced electric buses for their commuter services. Additionally, in 2022, Zeelo offset over 2,600 tons of CO2 emissions and created over 26,000 employment opportunities. Astonishingly, 70% of Zeelo riders rely on the service to commute to work, a testament to our vital role in facilitating sustainable transportation. With ambitious goals, a commitment to sustainability, and innovative solutions, this partnership is poised to set a new standard for environmentally-friendly transportation.
As Zeelo and Mobilityways work together to empower employers and commuters, the dream of carbon net-zero commutes in the UK is becoming a reality, one bus ride at a time.
Further reading
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dft-minister-visits-prologis-uk-124731915.html
https://www.route-one.net/coach/zeelo-partners-with-mobilityways-for-commuter-emissions-tracking/