Go Green : Today for Tomorrow

Thinking globally, it reminds each of us to think about our contribution to fight against global warming. Although we hear stories of weather catastrophes, climate change, melting glaciers and tsunamis, most of us think that these events are far removed from our everyday lives.

Travelling is a major part of our life & if we think to stop it for environment benefit. Though we cannot do it because we all are habituated or you can say, we blindly follow the unwanted traveling regularly, but sensible & smart travelling can save the environment.

Here are some tips to help lighten the impact that travel has on the environment.

We all know the arguments for ditching the car and walking, cycling or using public transport, but for many of us – however strong our green consciences – it simply is not a realistic option for few of us. When the distances involved or the lack of bus or train provision makes the car or vehicles the only solution, then there are ways to make this much maligned form of transport less environmentally damaging. The emphasis has often been on either driving in a more energy-efficient way to minimize petrol use – and emissions – or changing fuels or your type of car to more eco-friendly forms. 

Car pooling – also known as lift, ride or car sharing – offers a flexible method of travel which can dovetail into everyday life while reducing individual carbon footprints. If every person who regularly drives to work alone simply offers another similar person a lift or seat – even once a week – the number of commuting cars would fall by around 15 per cent. The advantages of car pooling are not just limited to the demands of daily work – trips to particular venues or events also fit well into the same ethos.

New year is knocking the door, let’s take innovative resolution this year to ‘collaborate the trip – once a week at least”.

Happy New Year 2012 !! Happy Sharing !!

Contributed by:  Trupti Boreekar, Ahmedabad

Car washing makes your car ever green

Improperly cleaning a car before washing is one of the main reasons for fine scratches to a car's paint.

• Put one capful of car shampoo into a bucket and fill it 3/4 of the way with water.
• Never remove dust from your car by rubbing hard with a dry cloth. Hose or use dust remover to remove any dirt.
• Cloth rag in the bucket of soapy water and sponge the roof to tyres of the car.
• Remove the soap from the roof by cleaning thoroughly.
• Take a towel and dry the car thoroughly to remove water spots. 
• Bird droppings need to be washed off immediately. They contain acids that harm the paint film.

By proper car washing, you can extend your dear car’s shelf life. 
There’s additional way too, by carpooling. 
Go Green with OliveTrips.com today. 

Biofuel: New shine for India

Biofuel produces almost 50-60% less green house gas compared diesel. Biofuel development in India centers mainly around the cultivation and processing of Jatropha plant seeds which are very rich in oil (40%). Jatropha oil has been used in India for several decades as biodiesel for the diesel fuel requirements of remote rural and forest communities. Jatropha has the potential to provide economic benefits at the local level since under suitable management it has the potential to grow in dry marginal non-agricultural lands, thereby allowing villagers and farmers to leverage non-farm land for income generation. 

As well, increased Jatropha oil production delivers economic benefits to India on the macroeconomic or national level as it reduces the nation's fossil fuel import bill for diesel production (the main transportation fuel used in the country); minimizing the expenditure of India's foreign-currency reserves for fuel allowing India to increase its growing foreign currency reserves (which can be better spent on capital expenditures for industrial inputs and production). And since Jatropha oil is carbon-neutral, large-scale production will improve the country's carbon emissions profile.

Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are taking lead for it. Let's wish all the very best !!

What's your take? When would you switch to Biofuel? What factors you would consider while switching over?

Car Free Day @ 27-Nov, Mumbai

In continuation to our commitment to gift the green earth to our next generation, your favourite carpool portal OliveTrips.com supports the ‘Car Free Day’. ‘Car Free Day’ event promotes improvement of mass transit, cycling, walking and carpooling, and the development of communities where jobs are closer to home and where shopping is within walking distance. The nature and scale of such events vary by location but the main objective never changes which is to give motorists and commuterists an idea of their locality with fewer cars.

Greenmile Foundation launches the first ‘Car Free Day, India Chapter 2011’ in Mumbai.  

Come 27th November 2011, Sunday, Mumbai will witness a people’s movement like never seen before. Allow us to break down the entire day for your better understanding:

(1). There will be a visible drop in traffic throughout the day due to the car owner’s online pledge to reduce or minimize use of vehicles,

(2). A pre-identified stretch of road will shut down completely for motorized vehicular movement from 7am to 12pm on that day,

(3). This stretch of 20 kilometres for a duration of 5 hours will transform into a ‘Car Free Day’ celebration zone. People can register to participate in Bike-a-thon 20K or Walk-a-thon 10K road racing events in support of the car free day. 

If you own a car and you think like we do, there are two ways in which you can be a part of this community. We would certainly like you to be more actively involved for which you can register to participate in any of the road racing events on that day.

Learn to drive a car: It’s different

We happen to visit a Car Driving School just out-of-curiosity. It teaches citizens to drive cars with hands-on on the road. That everybody does, located on every good cross-roads of the city in India. But, it was a different in many aspects. This one also teaches traffic rules, driving etiquette, caring the car tricks, etc. Still the most exciting feature we liked most was their inbuilt simulation exercise.

They have computer simulation software pertaining to car driving with different situations (day, night, heavy traffic, less traffic, hill area, rainy conditions, etc.). The candidate is trained for first four days, daily one hour on this replica of car with three screens of computers. Then, the candidate is exposed to real road for 15 days.

This simulation helps a lot. The most important is saving of the fuel and saving of the environment. The 4 days of simulation exercise is equivalent to 8 days of travel on the road. The candidate learns systematically and gets quickly acquainted with terms, language and techniques.

This is another beautiful example of how IT or software application can solve environmental problems with increase in ease.

We must spot such endevour for the benefits of our own selves.

Happy Learning !!

Team - OliveTrips.com

P.S: It’s Maruti Driving School, a venture by Indian car-maker Maruti.

Which is the best fuel?

In India, four fuels are widely used for transportation: Petrol, Diesel, CNG and Autogas (LPG). All are priced differently, moreover the vehicles (especially cars) give different mileage with different fuel. Technically, two fuels are measured in Kg and other two are in Litre. On the top of it, one need to consider the environment, hence which fuel helps one to protect the environment by emitting less pollutants? 

Let's try to answer those unanswered questions.

In India, the fuel prices vary widely across the state and nation. As of the date, in India the average fuel prices are as follows: 

Petrol (Gasoline): Rs 72 per Litre

Diesel: Rs 45 per Litre

CNG: Rs 41 per Kg

Autogas (LPG): Rs 43 per Kg

We will consider the most popular cars: Tata Indica and Maruti Wagon R. Take the distance of 1000 KM. Petrol would cost Rs 4500, Autogas would cost Rs 3878, Diesel would cost 2973 and the most economical is CNG costing only Rs 1849.

Now let's evaluate these four fuels based on CO2 emissions for 1000 KM. Diesel would emit almost 96,000 Litre of Carbon Dioxide. The second worst is Autogas as it would emit 84,000 Litre of CO2. Petrol is no longer better, as it would emit 80,000 Litre of CO2. The champion is again CNG, as it would emit 43,000 Litre of CO2.

It's clear that CNG is the most economical and green fuel. 

Let's spread the word to the world.

Team - OliveTrips.com

Important annoucement for DND Users

We welcome the new guidelines of TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) for Do Not Disturb (DND) Registration system with effect from September 27, 2011; as it aims to provide better services to our valued users.

As you are aware everyone's favourite Vehicle Sharing Portal OliveTrips.com is very well integrated with SMS. As per the current in-built system, your mobile number is verified by sending code through SMS; enabling you to avail the high level privacy and interaction with genuine users. 

Users who are registered under DND (Do Not Disturb) will not be able to utilize our portal the best way, as it's designed. Hence, they can follow the process to get the most relevant service from OliveTrips.com.

Send SMS 'STOP 0' to 1909 (toll free). 
You will receive SMS between 9 AM to 9 PM only.

Your request for registration on the NATIONAL DO NOT CALL REGISTRY will be given effect to in 7 days from the date of request.

Happy Services!!!

Team - OliveTrips.com

10 points to get best of your fuel

1. Always insist for better quality and quantity of fuel from very reputed and reliable retail outlet. If you are satisfied, don’t change the outlet.
2. Maintain optimum air pressure in the wheels. Check it every fortnightly.
3. Keep Engine in better condition, so it will keep you in better condition.
4. Get timely service. Don’t be lazy or apply procrastination here. It may cost much more than you have ever thought.
5. Drive gently with proper usage of gear and clutch.
6. Drive in 45-60 KMPH band to get best mileage.
7. Avoid frequent usage of gear change, clutch and brake.
8. Switch off the engine in idle condition. It’s better to switch off if idling is more than 25 Sec.
9. Take better and less congested route, even though it’s 10-15% longer.
10. Discuss and Share your views and ways for better mileage with your colleagues, experts, friends about it.

Have more smiles per mile.

Team - OliveTrips.com

20 Carpools + 20 days + 20 KM = ??

This is the era of T20. Let’s evaluate carpool statistics with 20:20:20 principles.

If 20 carpools are formed for 20 days, the distance is 20 KM (one-way). They decide to share each car among 4 members only, hence, 80 smart and responsible persons are involved. 

The result is phenomenal. 

It will save 3147 Litre of Petrol in just 20 days. The group will make direct savings of Rs 2,20,000 only on fuel. What about the pollution? It will reduce the Carbon Dioxide by 40 Lakh Litre.

This is the beautiful outcome of power of 20:20:20 clubbed with smart decision.

Happy Sharing !!

Show me money

Akshay’s workplace is 25 KM away from his home. His office timings are almost fixed. He uses his car for commuting. By forming carpool with three executives, he can save easily Rs 51,000 per annum. Yes, close to Rs 4,000 every month.

If you also want to make great savings like Akshay, then spare 3 minutes to do free and secure registration on OliveTrips.com and post the trip. Have the patience. OliveTrips.com is one of the most advanced travel web portals of India. You will get matching partners alert as sms and email. Select three or four partners as friends based on your criteria and comfort level.

Then!?!

Congratulations, you have formed carpool.

You can see your corresponding savings in the matrix. Enjoy the benefits. Be proud of saving environment and saving fuel for nation. Of course, it makes Sense.

Financial Saving Matrix: For car traveller: Form Carpool
One-way Distance	Monthly Travel Cost (Rs)		Annual Savings (Rs)	What does it mean?
	Before OliveTrips	With OliveTrips
10	2,267	567	20,400	Wow. Two movie tickets every week.
25	5,667	1,417	51,000	Educational expenses for two kids through out the year.
40	9,067	2,267	81,600	Pay all bills (gas, mobile, internet, electricity, water, etc.).
60	13,600	3,400	1,02,000	Exotic international holidays would be an annual affair. (Do share snaps with us :) )
80	18,133	4,533	1,63,200	A nano car. (BTW, what's your favourite colour?)
100	22,667	5,667	2,04,000	3-4 years with the hefty savings & start you own venture. (Bring out the your inner potential.)

Basis: Petrol price: Rs 68/Litre, Mileage: 15 KMPL. The car is shared with 3 persons. 25 days in a month. Does not include parking charges, toll tax, wear & tear and vehicle maintenance. If any such cost component is present in your case, then savings will be much higher. 

Do let us know your interpretation of savings. Share your experience.

Happy carpooling !!

OliveTrips.com

What will you do with savings?

If you are travelling more than 6 KM one-way everyday and your travel timings are almost fixed. OliveTrips.com is for you.You can wonder for yourself, family, environment and nation. This is the time to start.

Spare 4 minutes to do free and safe registration and post the trip. You will get matching partners. Select one partner as a friend based on your criteria.Talk to him/her and zeroed upon.

Then, start bikepool. Save fuel and money everyday. If you are having bike, your monthly expenses would come down from Rs 408 to Rs 204, for 12 KM return trip.

You can see your corresponding savings in the matrix. Enjoy the benefit. Be proud of saving environment and saving fuel for nation. Of course, it makes Sense.

Financial Saving Matrix:  For Two-wheelers doing Bikepool
One-way Distance	Monthly Travel Cost (Rs)		Annual Savings (Rs)	What does it mean?
	Before OliveTrips	With OliveTrips
6	408	204	2,448	Two movie tickets or a decent book every month.
10	680	340	4,080	A new mobile handset every year.
15	1020	510	6,120	A piece of furniture every year.
20	1360	680	8,160	It's time for rocking music system.
25	1700	850	10,200	Wow…. Two movie tickets every week or refreshing holidays every year.

Basis: Petrol price: Rs 68/Litre, Bike mileage: 50 KMPL. 25 days in a month. Does not include parking charges, toll tax, wear & tear and vehicle maintenance. If any such cost component is present in your case, then savings will be higher. You decide what you will do with the savings, do let us know.

Be proud citizen. 'Nature is borrowed from next generation, please take care of it".

Today, OliveTrips.com completes two months. It was dedicated to you on the World Environment Day. It got hundreds of visitors and thousands of clicks. Keep continue. It loves you.