Martin McGregor, who works for Gordon Springate, says motorists can save fuel

The KM Group’s Commuters’ Charter campaign continues to go from strength to strength.

The latest organisation to throw its weight behind us is bus operator Nu-Venture.

The firm has had to raise fares to meet the major increases in fuel costs.
Company boss Norman Kemp said: “The cost of fuel rises over the past two years is about 40 per cent to the bus industry.

“If prices rise no more – some hope – the cost to the business is £140,000 in a full year, which inevitably gets passed on in the form of higher fares.
“We don’t like doing this because we want to stimulate use of public transport at a time when people can’t afford to put fuel in their cars.”

Mr Kemp pledged to display any campaign stickers on his buses and said: “I’m happy to help in any way I can.”
Last week, we reported how most of the county’s MPs had pledged to support us.
This followed key backing from Kent business chiefs.

We’re highlighting the plight of hard-pressed motorists and train travellers who face high prices and poor service.

We also want to raise concerns of parents facing problems over the school Freedom Pass and commuters angry about the impending Dartford Crossing toll rise to £2.

We want to create a “dossier of discontent” which we can pass onto government and county hall.

Online backing of the campaign is growing with almost 200 people signed up to the Commuters’ Charter Facebook and Twitter groups.

Members have been posting pictures of the most expensive petrol stations and sharing stories of their bad commuting experiences.

This week, we have spoken to a fuel-saving specialist to get some tips on how you can save cash.

Martin McGregor, who works for Gordon Springate, an HGV driving school in Detling, says motorists can save fuel by taking heed of simple advice.

Mr McGregor, a driving instructor and an expert on safe and fuel efficient driving, said: “Planning is the key to save fuel.

“There are a surprising number of ways drivers can make their journey more cost effective.
“It just means being sensible and being able to think ahead.”

We need you to play your part by telling us of your experiences and of how your lives are being affected.

Are you a motorist battling to afford to run a vehicle? Are you a struggling business person worried for the future?

Do you pay high train charges for a poor service? Are you going to be hit hard when Dartford Crossing charges rise to £2?

Are changes to the young persons’ Freedom Pass going to cost you hundreds of pounds a year just to send your children to school/college?

At www.facebook.com/KentCommute we want to build a massive community where people can back the campaign and tell their own stories, including pictures and video.

We will also be using this group as an online petition to show how deeply people feel about this issue.

On Twitter, we want people to let fellow commuters know of 'live’ problems like high petrol prices at a particular station or trouble with their train service. You can find us at www.twitter.com/kentcommute

• See all Commuters' Charter stories in our special report