DACT has over 40 volunteer Minibus drivers and 8 Coach Built Minibuses to take community groups on a wide variety of trips.
What are our minicoaches?
We have 8 coach built minibuses all able to carry up to 15 passengers, excluding the driver. Every minibus has a passenger lift for the benefit of people with walking difficulties or those that need to enter the bus via a wheelchair. Each bus is fully equipped to safely carry passengers that need to travel in their own wheelchair. To accommodate wheelchairs the seats are designed to be removable.
We have buses with interior configurations designed to meet varying requirements. In addition to buses ideal for general usage and for wheelchair passengers we have buses designed to accommodate shopping or general storage of equipment and baggage.
Who can drive the bus?
Drivers can be our own DACT volunteer drivers or the hiring groups own drivers, as long as they are trained to the MiDAS standard. Our own drivers are all trained to the MiDAS standard. In addition we have drivers that are trained to ‘AD’ level which means that they are trained to transport passengers who need to travel in their wheelchairs and use the passenger lift.
Where can the minibuses go?
Our buses can be hired to go to any destination in mainland Britain. However, in reality, for day trips the restriction is what distance can comfortably be covered in the day and how long the driver will be at the wheel.
It is possible to hire the buses for durations longer than 1 day. We do have a number of groups that hire the buses for periods up a week, particularly during the summer.
Our buses are hired on a per session basis.
· 6am to 12pm = 1 Session
· 12pm to 6pm = 1 Session
· All Day
It is possible to hire the bus for half sessions. The cost of hire is as follows:-
· Bus hire - The hire cost for the bus is at a very reasonable rate, please phone for details
· Fuel costs – Diesel costs are charged based on Kilometres travelled.
In addition to the above charges a discretionary donation is usually made made to the volunteer driver to mitigate any expenses that may be incurred during the trip, such as purchasing refreshments.
Longer hire periods available - Please phone for details.
Please contact the DACT for further information. They will provide all the information needed, including estimated trip costs if required.
How does it work?
Typically drivers will pick groups at a prescribed time from one or more designated locations. The driver will ensure everyone is securely seated and any baggage, walking aids and wheelchairs safely stowed. The group will be taken to the required destination and dropped off. The driver will normally try to arrange to drop passengers off at the most convenient point. The pick up time and location will be agreed with the driver. On return the driver will drop off passengers as requested – this may be back to the original pick up locations but may also include dropping passengers off close to their homes. Our volunteer drivers are very friendly, flexible and accommodating and will want to make every trip as easy and as enjoyable as possible for their passengers.