The hire of the minibus belonging to the Wolds Community Transport Project is only available to groups and organisations affiliated to the scheme. The annual fee to become affiliated is £10.00.
By hiring the Wolds Community Transport Project minibus, the affiliated group or organisation accepts these terms and conditions of hire.
Affiliated groups and organisations must provide their own driver, who should be over 25 years of age and under 70, while holding a valid driving licence, covering a D1 classification of vehicle.
Booking the minibus
All communication with the Wolds Community Transport Project should be made via the Project Coordinator.
Prospective drivers are politely reminded that the role of Project Coordinator is filled by a volunteer, and respect of this individual’s privacy is expected at all times. Therefore, when arranging to collect or return the minibus keys, it should not be expected that this is undertaken during anti-social hours.
In addition, the Project Coordinator should be treated with respect at all times and the Wolds Community Transport Project will not tolerate any profanity, verbal threats or violence towards this volunteer.
Minibus and Safety
All designated drivers of the Wolds Community Transport Project minibus shall receive a vehicle familiarisation process in advance of driving the vehicle for the first time and the driver’s driving licence will be vetted in advance of a period of hire.
The minibus is fully accessible and has the means of transporting individuals, including 1 wheelchair passenger. The seats are fitted with inertia reel restraint systems (safety belts). All passengers are expected to use these available restraint systems at all times, unless they hold an appropriate medical exemption certificate.
It is the users responsibility to assess each passenger’s ability to use the carb-side step or wheelchair ramp when boarding or alighting from the minibus. Similarly, it is the users responsibility to assess (where applicable), each passenger’s ability to transfer safely from a wheelchair to a minibus seat, and from such a seat to a wheelchair.
When the minibus is being driven, it is the users responsibility to remain seated throughout the journey and not to walk along the minibus corridor.
Smoking is not prohibited at any times inside the minibus. This includes the use of substitute smoking materials such as electronic cigarettes or ‘E cigarettes’.
Any use of drugs is strictly prohibited inside the minibus.
Additionally, it is the users responsibility to park the minibus sensibly, and for the users to safely board and alight from the vehicle, taking appropriate care and notice of other vehicles and road furniture.
Insurance
The Wolds Community Transport Project minibus is insured with a fully comprehensive policy. In the event of an incident or accident, where the affiliated group or organisation’s driver is found to be at fault, the affiliated group shall be held responsible for the cost of repairs and damage to the minibus, and for any insurance excess. Insurance cover may be invalidated if any of the information provided by the affiliated group or organisation is subsequently found to be false or inaccurate, at which time the affiliated group or organisation shall be responsible for the full cost of the repair and damage.
Diesel
The Wolds Community Transport Project minibus uses diesel as fuel. The minibus shall be provided with sufficient fuel for the intended journey. However, if circumstances require the affiliated group or organisation hiring the minibus to add additional fuel for the safe return journey, it is essential that diesel is used. A negligence charge may be made to any affiliated group or organisation that puts the wrong type of fuel into the minibus tank.
Designated drivers of the minibus must retain a receipt of all diesel fuel purchased, and hand this to the Project Coordinator when returning the keys.
Toll charges and fines
It is the responsibility of the affiliated group or organisation hiring the minibus to meet the cost of all toll charges and parking fines associated with their period of hire. It is the responsibility of this group to pay these charges and fines quickly and in such a time frame that does not attract further fees. Any additional fees due to charges and fines not being paid immediately, shall be forwarded to the affiliated group or organisation.
Responsibility of the driver and affiliated group or organisation
The keys to the Wolds Community Transport Project minibus will only be handed to the designated driver for each affiliated group or organisation.
It is the designated drivers responsibility to ensure the minibus is collected in sufficient time for the intended journey and return the keys immediately the minibus has returned.
At all times, the designated driver must not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and not indulge in dangerous driving or abuse the vehicle. Designated drivers must abide by speed restrictions, road signs and drive safely.
If the minibus has been involved in an accident, or has been stopped by the police during the hire period (speeding, illegal parking or drink driving, for example), or has been broken into when parked or incurred any damage whatsoever, the designated driver must inform the Project Coordinator immediately when returning the keys.
It is the designated drivers responsibility to ensure the minibus is securely locked and all windows shut, when leaving the vehicle parked and unattended.
The designated driver must also accurately complete and return the mileage form to the Project Coordinator to allow the affiliated group or organisation to be invoiced for the hire period.
It is the responsibility of the affiliated group or organisation hiring the minibus to ensure the vehicle is returned in working order and in a clean and presentable manner. This includes the removal of all rubbish, wiping any spilt liquids and to ensure any mud is swept from the vehicle. Failure to maintain the minibus in a tidy condition for all users may result in a surcharge of £25.00 being added to the final invoice covering the hire period.
The Wolds Community Transport Project reserves the right to ban a designated driver from using the minibus if there are reasonable grounds for believing that person knowingly failed to report any damage to, illegality or accident involving the minibus it operates, whilst it was in their care (i.e.: during a hire period).
Charges and payment
The charges for hiring the Wolds Community Transport Project minibus includes fuel, insurance and breakdown cover. Fees are calculated based on the number of miles driven within each hire period, and will be invoiced to the affiliated group or organisation after the hire period is completed.
A minimum hire charge of £20.00 applies to each booking.
The invoice may also include any additional fees associated with the period of hire, such as surcharges as described above, or reimbursement costs for repairs and damage.
All invoices must be paid within the stated prompt payment period. Failure to settle invoices within this period may incur late payment charges and/or invalidate future bookings.