Volunteer minibus drivers

We are in great need of volunteer drivers for our minibuses. We have a fleet of 7 minibuses and at present we employ 6 paid drivers, 4 of whom are full-time, and 2 are part-time. This has been necessary over time as the number of volunteer drivers has decreased dramatically and we have been unable to recruit any to join us. The volunteer drivers fill in for when paid drivers are not available, and to ensure that we can keep our 7 buses on the road daily.

The role is to drive our minibuses to transport those who have difficulty using public transport due to age, infirmity or disability. We collect them usually from their home addresses and take them to wherever they want to go, whether for shopping, to day centres and community centres, to out-patient appointments, or to visit friends, etc.. We operate primarily within a 10 mile radius from the centre of Cambridge, but this is flexible. Under the terms of our Section 19 Permit (which is designed for community transport operators who therefore do not require PCV or Operators Licences) we transport members of Dial a Ride (who pay a £15 annual membership fee). They travel on pre-arranged journeys so our drivers operate on a schedule drawn up by our admin staff, which varies from day to day. It is not a bus service, or a taxi service, and our drivers are expected to assist our members, many of whom have mobility difficulties, into and out of the buses, all of which are equipped with hydraulic lifts and equipment to provide safe and secure restraint for wheelchair users. Part of that assistance also includes help with any shopping they have which can be carried to their door. The drivers also have to collect the fares from members, although some pay by deferred invoice. Payment can be made by cash or by contactless devices linked to the mobile telephone used in the bus. Training is of course provided in that which is quite a simple procedure.

All of our drivers, whether paid or volunteers, undergo a national training scheme called MIDAS which is designed to demonstrate safe manual handling practice, to safely secure wheelchair users, and to check driving standards in a minibus. Volunteer drivers do not have to have a D1 category on their licence and can drive our minibuses on a normal car manual gear change licence, provided they are over 21 and have 2 years driving experience.

Volunteers are provided with uniform shirts and fleeces and are required to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service vetting. We do not pay expenses for volunteers.

The working hours are between 8:30 and 17:00, Monday through to Friday, but volunteers can agree which days they work for us, whether a full day or a half day. If they prefer a set day or days in a week, that can be arranged, or simply to fill in as and when required. Our Operations Manager will talk them through all that is entailed. 

If people want to see what the role of volunteer driver is like, then they are welcome to join one of our drivers on his or her schedule for a day or longer.