THE fact that rail fares will be rising by 8% should not deter any business from considering rail travel as part of their business travel itinerary. As ACFO chairman Julie Jenner makes clear in the article on essential business travel planning featured below, SMEs should consider every available form of transport, along with developing communication tools to reduce travel costs, reduce carbon emissions – and effectively keep more money in your business.

That’s not to say the business car is an anachronism. Far from it. I’ve just replaced my old Audi A6 with the new model. Apart from the improved fuel economy there’s lower company car tax and it’s amazingly comfortable on long journeys. You can read more in my blog. And, as you can see here, we have tests on the latest low carbon company cars that would work well with any sized business.

If you’re interested in the latest low carbon technology – and what it’s like to drive – then we’ve teamed up with EcoVelocity, the low carbon motoring festival to be held at London’s iconic Battersea Power Station on 08 Sep-11 Sep (see picture), to offer 2 for 1 entry. The discount code is BCM1 – for tickets visit the website here and quote our code: www.ecovelocity.co.uk.

While on the subject of the efficiency of your company’s business cars, if you missed our supplement in the last issue of the ezine – Managing your business cars more efficiently – you should make sure you download it now to catch up. It could save you money by helping you manage your business cars more efficiently. I hope you find it useful reading.

Ralph Morton – editor