An initiative encouraging "online matching" for drivers wanting to car-share with fellow commuters has been launched in Belfast.
Following a successful pilot scheme within the Civil Service, the Department for Regional Development has now made Travelwise NI public.
It hopes it will alleviate traffic congestion during the morning and evening rush-hours in Belfast.
The scheme allows commuters to find potential matches for car-sharing.
They register free of charge on the department's website and a computer system matches them up with potential car-share partners.
The commuters can then email each other to make arrangements.
Brian Moreland, head of Travelwise NI, said the need to reduce the volume of traffic on the roads was recognised by all commuters.
"By car-sharing, commuters can help to cut traffic levels and save money by sharing their travel costs," he said.
"Being able to find a suitable car-share partner is the key to getting started and we believe that this new website will make it easier for commuters from across Northern Ireland to find their perfect match."
More than 1,000 Civil Servants have registered to car-share through the site since last June.
Up to three million people a day in the US use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to commute into cities such as Washington and Los Angeles.
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