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Elderly entrepreneurs debut hitchhiking app
Two 65-year old businessmen have partnered to launch a hitchhiking app in Bristol that they hope will help to save the rainforest.
Entrepreneurs Barry Cash, a former Lib Dem Councillor from Bishopston, and Chris Herbert, whose family started Bristol’s Herbert’s Bakery chain, used their savings to create Green Thumb Travel which links passengers with nearby drivers for a £5 fee, £1 of which goes to three rainforest charities – Size of Wales, Orangutan Land Trust and Rainforest Saver Foundation.
It competes with similar services such as BlaBlaCar and iThumb, popular apps which link members together to car-share journeys or hitch rides.
Drivers who sign up can receive offers, such as discounted car maintenance.
The duo, who met while working as financial advisers, hope the service will help hitchers to travel more safely, cut traffic in the city, reduce carbon emissions and provide Bristolians with an alternative mode transport.
“Climate change is real and we need to act now,” says Barry. “We believe this initiative will help significantly reduce fuel emissions and improve Bristol’s transport system.
“It’s not practical for everybody to cycle, such as the elderly or infirm. This should provide a quick, cheap and practical way to get around the city.”
Read more: 8 ways to solve Bristol’s traffic nightmare