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Look out for our regular articles in your Parish Magazine but if you can't find it this is what we wrote!!

February 2010

At the time of writing this report we have less than three months left in our financial year, and once again it’s looking to be another record breaker. We lost some bookings in January due to the snow but it seems that we shall be well booked up to the year end on 31/3/2010.

The Minibus started in April 2005 and made 53 trips in that inaugural year. In the second year it made 70 trips followed by 91 by the end of year three. In year four we more than doubled that with 190 trips and this year we shall have made over 240 excursions having carried well over 2000 passengers. That’s an amazing story especially when you consider that we have only six regular drivers. We’ve recruited three more who are awaiting to attend their MiDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness) training but we could certainly benefit from a few more volunteers who would be prepared to drive maybe two or three times a month.

It’s very easy to become a driver – anyone aged over 21 and under 70 can qualify by attending a half day course at Shire Hall and undertake a one hour driver assessment. It’s a good qualification to hold and we cover all of the training costs. I send a list of trips for the following two months every month to our team of drivers and they pick those that they want to drive. There’s no minimum number you have to drive; it’s entirely your choice. So when you read this give me a call to find out more.

We also have room for more sponsors who provide financial support to keep the minibus on the road. Again if you are interested in helping that way, I shall be more than happy to take your telephone call (and hopefully your money, too) so that your name can be proudly displayed on the outside and inside of the bus. We can also accommodate those not willing to have publicity!

Other news - Mrs P (who is not to be trifled with) has decided to form a Minibus Ways & Means/ Snow clearing and gritting committee and indeed if she had formed the committee before the January snow falls I’m sure that all of the lanes would have been cleared of snow literally minutes after it had fallen. I had to physically restrain her from riding on the front bumper, snow shovel in the plough position when we took the ‘bus to the garage to refuel.

January 2010

The Village Minibus, as you know, is owned by Tirley Parish Council and is operated by a group of unpaid volunteers on a self financing basis. Our aim is to offer a reliable and affordable service to everyone in our communities and we aim to make ourselves a permanent fixture. We are supported by generous local sponsors whose financial support helps to cover our fixed costs such as insurance, road tax, statutory inspections which include quarterly safety checks, six monthly wheel chair lift inspections and annual MOT certification and regular servicing. All that has to be paid before we start the engine. In addition we have our variable costs which are repairs and renewals and the biggest cost of all, fuel.

Our charges are calculated to cover all our costs and to provide a surplus which will be used to replace the vehicle when it is considered economically sensible to do so.

Unfortunately there has been a sharp increase in fuel costs and there will be a further fuel cost increase when the VAT rate returns to 17.5%. We have tried to keep our mileage rate at 35p per mile but sadly we shall have to implement a rise to 40p with effect from 1^st January for bookings taken after that date. That rate still offers tremendous value however – our confederate, The Gloucester Minibus Scheme, for instance charges 60p per mile.

We shall honour all quotes given before this announcement and we hope that you will continue your fantastic support for what we are trying to do which is “Access for all”.

The Minibus is available to all of us – local schools, clubs, societies, church groups, families and groups of friends. We have taken people to and from parties, airports, railway stations and cruise ports. We are used to go to skittle matches, trips to the theatre and general days out.

We operate a regular shopping trip to Cheltenham on the first Wednesday of the month, which because of its increasing popularity will still only cost £3.

Booking the Minibus is easy – telephone 01452781055 and I shall be pleased to help. If I’m not available, Mrs. P (who is not to be trifled with) has graciously agreed to take your calls. If you are daunted in any way in speaking to her you can always leave a message on our answerphone or send an email to enquiries@villageminibus.co.uk.

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