Patron:
Lord Cotter of Congresbury

Registered Charity No:

1144237

Company Registration No:

07529984

The bus is affectionately nicknamed “Bluey”. Bluey is a 16 seat Mercedes Benz mini-bus, acquired new in 2008. The bus has been built to a high specification, including air-conditioning, and is fully accessible for use by disabled people.

Bluey and a trained driver can be hired by local groups. The service is directed towards those who, through reasons such as disability or age, may be prevented from using other means of transport. However, the vehicle is also available for social trips, events and sporting occasions.

Congresbury Community Transport is run as a non-profit making charity and is staffed entirely by un-paid volunteers. This enables running costs and, therefore, hire charges to be kept at a minimum.

For information on booking Bluey, or indeed on how to become involved with CCT as a driver or helper, please contact Mike Rendu on:

01934 833791

 

Policies

Volunteer Drivers

The aim of this policy is to establish clear criteria for the appointment, training and arrangements for the cessation of driving of Volunteer Drivers and to provide guidance on good practice.

CCT is committed to the appointment and training of trustworthy and competent volunteer drivers. CCT is also committed to the care, safety and well-being of all its users and especially vulnerable groups. In pursuit of this objective CCT will ensure the suitability and fitness of all drivers. Driver ‘fitness’ will include the individual’s driving ability, including the ability to judge hazards, their up-to-date knowledge and application of road safety rules, their general good health and alertness and their general communication skills including sensitivity in people handling and in the handling of vulnerable individuals. There will be a policy of “zero alcohol” for all drivers.

All of these criteria must be adhered to by every driver. Directors will monitor the performance of drivers through user feedback and CCT will ensure that all these requirements are clear to new recruits.

Should it be clear that any driver is unable to reach these standards, they will be thanked for their service and will not be asked to drive again.

A member of the Board of Directors, known as the “Driver Director” will be appointed to have specific responsibility for overseeing the appointment and training of the team of volunteer drivers. The Driver Director will them selves be a regular driver of the minibus.

Where there is evidence that any driver has been identified as unable to reach the standards, they will no longer be invited to drive. The evidence will be referred to the next meeting of the CCT Directors who will confirm the position and the Chairman will write thanking the individual.

Driver Appointment and Training:

All prospective new drivers must provide details of two relevant referees. The Driver Director has responsibility for obtaining the two written references, will keep a file of all relevant information and maintain confidentiality. The Driver Director must ensure that the licence holder is legally permitted to drive a 17seater minibus. (Document: “Driving A Minibus”, published by DVLA 11/4/02)

Although not a legal requirement that volunteer drivers receive formal training in driving a minibus, the Board of Directors will pay the cost, including out-of-pocket expenses for all drivers to be Midas trained. All prospective new drivers must show their driving license to the Driver Director, who will record the details on file, including the date of expiry and license number on the new Driver Database. Drivers who passed a test before 1997 are automatically qualified to drive a minibus. Younger drivers will need to pass an additional test. Drivers must report any later changes in license details.

When the Driver Director is confident that a prospective new driver is competent, he/she will notify the individual and arrange driver training. Following satisfactory training, the driver will be notified in writing of their appointment.

General Guidance to Drivers:

Drivers must follow the procedures described in the document “Driver’s Guidelines”.

Drivers should ensure that they are never on their own with an individual child passenger (under 18), nor on their own with an individual vulnerable adult passenger.

Drivers must ensure that they are fit to drive the minibus on the public roads.

Drivers must carry out the “Minibus Check List” before and after every journey.

Whenever a driver has a concern or any problem arises, it is most important that the Driver Director is informed as soon as practicable (or the Chairman if the Driver Director is not available). The driver must report defects to the vehicle, in writing, on a Defects Report Form.

All drivers must ensure that they follow the instructions provided in the “Driver’s Emergency Procedure” in the event of a road traffic accident.

All accidents (involving even minor damage, or very minor injury to passengers) must be recorded in the log book and reported to the Driver Director, who will decide if a fuller written report is required.

Driver Suitability:

If it is the opinion of the Driver Director that an individual driver is not suitable to drive the minibus, the Driver Director will discuss the matter with the driver as soon as practicable. If still of the opinion that the driver should be asked to cease driving, the Driver Director will ensure that the individual has no further access to the minibus. If the driver concerned has any objections regarding ceasing to drive, they may contact the Chairman of the Board of Directors in writing, to initiate the “complaints procedure”.

Driver Information.

All existing and newly appointed drivers will be expected to be familiar with the current policies listed below (including any revisions). Health & Safety, Complaints, Confidentiality, Financial Procedures, Equal Opportunities, Volunteer Driver.

Drivers will also be given copies of:

  1. Disabled Parking Pass Guidelines

  2.  In Case Of Fire

  3.  Driver’s Reminders

  4.  Driver Registration Form

  5.  Driver Log Sheet

  6.  Defect/Damage/Incident Form

  7.  Vehicle Weekly Maintenance Checklist

  8.  Driver’s Emergency Procedures