Dorset Minibus Directory
January 2014
This directory lists details of minibuses and community vehicles in
Dorset, which are available to hire from voluntary organisations, schools
and community transport schemes, by other groups and clubs.
Dorset County Council
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Enabling communities in Dorset to thrive,
now and for the future
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Introduction
The Dorset Minibus Directory provides details of minibuses and community
vehicles in Dorset, which are available to hire from voluntary organisations,
schools, and community transport schemes, by other groups and clubs.
The Directory is a useful resource for organisations that need transport
and do not own their own vehicle. Groups who own their own vehicle but
occasionally require an additional minibus may also find the directory helpful.
It also contains some useful guidelines on hiring a minibus together with
information on a number of issues which all organisations using minibuses
should be aware of. Although all of the minibuses listed are available for
hire, a number of groups have restrictions on who can use their minibus
because of insurance restrictions or internal policies their organisation
may have.
Whilst we have made every effort to ensure that the information in this
guide is as up-to-date as possible, inevitably details and circumstances
change over time.
If information about your organisation or its vehicle requires updating,
or if you make your vehicle available for hire but are not currently listed
in the Directory, please let us know by contacting:
Erica Pretty
[email protected]
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The inclusion of a minibus within this directory is not an endorsement by
Dorset County Council of either the vehicle or any transport service which
may be provided by the organisation owning the vehicle. The directory does
not contain all community-based minibuses which are available for hire in
Dorset, but only the details of minibuses owned by organisations that have
given permission for their details to be published. Your organisation should
find in this directory much of the information which it needs in order to hire
and use a minibus.
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How to use the directory
This directory lists organisations within Dorset that have a minibus or similar
vehicle that is available for other groups to hire. At the back of this directory
(page 18) the organisations are listed by the town in which their minibus
is based. Remember to look under both your own town and the adjoining
areas for available minibuses.
A contact point is provided for each organisation, together with details of
the minibus available for hire. Many of the named contacts in this directory
are volunteers based at home and so please respect this when calling.
Additional information which will be of interest to organisations that are
looking for a minibus to hire is also included:
• Maximum number of wheelchairs per vehicle
• Vehicle has a passenger ramp
• Vehicle is fitted with a passenger lift
• Volunteer driver may be available
• Paid driver may be available
• Drivers of vehicles are required to have successfully completed the
Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS)
The ‘number of seats’ shown is including the driver and when wheelchair
users are transported, this may reduce the overall seating capacity of
a vehicle. The current availability and details of the minibuses listed in
the directory, together with any charges, should be checked with the
organisation concerned.
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A number of organisations in Dorset operate community transport schemes.
These schemes offer a pool of minibuses, most of which are accessible, and
available for use by voluntary and statutory groups. Hiring a vehicle from
a community transport scheme can, in many cases, remove the need for
groups to make their own arrangements for obtaining Small Bus Permits and
in some cases for getting drivers assessed and trained.
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Guidelines on hiring a vehicle
Use the information in the directory to identify those organisations that may
have vehicles available which are suitable for your organisation’s needs.
Before hiring and using a vehicle you are advised to check the
following points:
About the vehicle itself
• What type of vehicle is available?
• When is the vehicle available?
• What is the seating capacity of the vehicle (including the driver)?
• Are all of the seats in the vehicle forward-facing?
• Are lap and diagonal seat belts or lap belts provided for each seat
•
in the minibus?
Are any child seats available?
Facilities for passengers in wheelchairs
• Does the vehicle have a passenger lift or ramp?
• How many seated passengers in wheelchairs can be accommodated in •
•
the vehicle and how many ordinary seats does this leave?
Are appropriate restraints available to secure both the wheelchair to the floor of the vehicle and restrain the passenger in the wheelchair?
What facilities are there for stowing wheelchairs if passengers
can transfer to a seat, and does this require any ordinary seats to
be removed?
What about the cost?
• How much will it cost to hire the vehicle?
• Is there a minimum charge?
• Do charges include the cost of fuel? If so, what are the arrangements for •
re-fuelling the vehicle if this is required during the hire period?
How and when do you pay for the hire of the vehicle?
Using the minibus
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• Are there any restrictions on which groups can use the vehicle?
• How far can the vehicle be taken?
• What are the arrangements for collecting/returning the vehicle’s keys?
• What back-up is available if there is a breakdown or accident?
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Arrangements for drivers
• What are the minimum requirements which need to be met, i.e. age, •
•
•
driving experience etc?
Is D1 licence entitlement essential because of the weight of the minibus?
Do drivers need to be MiDAS assessed and trained? If so can the organisation provide training? If MiDAS approval is not required, does the organisation offer any form of training and vehicle familiarisation?
Please see the additional information under Minibus driver training
on Page 13
Can a driver be provided with the vehicle?
Operating the vehicle
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Does the vehicle have a Small Bus Permit and does it cover the use of the
vehicle by your group? See following section.
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Information for minibus drivers
Introduction
This section covers some of the information which all organisations using the
minibuses should be aware of.
What is a ‘Small Bus Permit’ and why do I need one?
If you own or use a minibus and your passengers contribute to the cost of
their journey in any way, you need a Small Bus Permit, commonly know as a
Section 19 permit. In practice, this means most minibus owners or users will
need a permit. Small Bus Permits are issued to organisations that are nonprofit-making and concerned with either education, religion, social welfare,
recreation or other activities for the benefit of the community.
A permit allows you to carry groups of passengers, such as members of
a club or scout group and their helpers or a school transporting children
and teachers. It also allows groups such as Age UK to carry older people –
people their group is set up to help. Your organisation will need a permit if
passengers are contributing to the costs of running your minibus in any way.
The legal term for this is operating for ‘hire and reward’.
Hire and reward covers more than just charging for the cost of fuel,
it includes:
• When passengers directly pay a charge per person for a journey.
• When passengers pay a total charge, e.g. for a holiday or day out which includes a proportion towards the cost of transport.
• When the whole cost or any part of the cost of the minibus is taken from funds which include membership subscriptions from passengers.
• When an organisation hires a minibus and shares the cost or part of the cost amongst the passengers.
• When passengers make voluntary contributions or donations towards the cost of their trip or the cost of running the minibus.
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• When passengers do not pay directly to use the vehicle but buy fuel for it.
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Hire and reward would include, for example, a group of children or their
parents paying £10 each towards the cost of an afternoon’s horse-riding,
including the use of the minibus.
When operating under a Small Bus Permit:
• You may charge your passengers or accept donations.
• You may pay your drivers or use volunteers.
• You must maintain your minibus in a safe and roadworthy condition – and keep records of checks and servicing.
BUT YOU MUST NOT:
• Make a profit – but can include depreciation and drivers’ wages in working out your costs.
• Run bus services to the public.
If you want to do this you need a different type of permit, a Section 22 or Community Bus Permit.
Permit details
Small Bus Permits are issued to the organisation, not to the minibus, which
means they can be transferred from one minibus to another (for example
if a replacement minibus is needed in the event of a breakdown). If you
have two minibuses in use at the same time, you will need two permits as
they must be displayed at all times.
To apply for a Small Bus Permit please contact Dorset Passenger Transport
– the fee is only £11.
Contact details:
[email protected]
Telephone: 01305 224582
Permits must be displayed at all times. Permits cannot be used to provide
transport for the general public, or journeys outside the UK. Permit
holders are required to inform the Dorset Passenger Transport team if
there are any changes regarding the permit
Maintaining your minibus in a safe condition
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By applying for a Small Bus Permit you are, in effect, agreeing that you will
maintain your minibus in a safe condition.
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Questions and answers
Q:Our group doesn’t own a minibus but sometimes we hire one and our passengers pay a donation for the trip. Do we need a permit
A:Yes, donations are included within the definition of hire and reward so you
will need a permit. If you are hiring from an ‘umbrella organisation’ such as the
Council or a Voluntary Service that hires minibuses to its member groups, they
should have a permit which will cover use by your group. You should check with
them. If you are hiring from a small organisation you will probably need to get
your own permit as theirs is likely to only cover their own use. You can apply for
a permit even if you don’t own the minibus you will be using.
Q:Do we need a permit if we hire a minibus from a self drive hire company?
A:If your passengers are contributing in any way towards the cost of their
journey, you will need a permit.
Q:Can anyone be a passenger if a Small Bus Permit is held by the operator?
A:No. The ‘general public’ cannot be carried. The organisation providing the
service must be concerned with education, religion, social welfare, recreation
or other activities of benefit to the community, or any combination of these
activities. The services must be provided for their own members or for groups
of people whom the organisation serves.
Q:If my organisation hires out a minibus to another group, will the Small Bus Permit cover use by the other group?
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A:It depends on whether the organisation that hires out the minibus has
a formal link to the group that takes it on hire. For example, a community
transport group may have member groups and all these members will be able
to use the community transport group’s Small Bus Permit. If in doubt, the group
taking the minibus on hire should obtain its own permit if it intends to charge
passengers for the journey.
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Seat belts:
who should wear seat belts in a minibus?
The law was updated in 2006. It says that every passenger in a
minibus should wear a seat belt, where these are fitted.
It also says:
• Passengers must be aware of the need to wear seat belts – by a sign at each seating position or an announcement by the driver or a
responsible person.
• The driver will be held legally responsible if a child under 14 does not wear their seat belt.
We also recommend that minibus owners:
• Have a policy for seat belt wearing, including: ‘No belt, No trip’.
• Consider seat belt extensions for very large or obese people, where the standard seat belt is too short.
The driver’s responsibilities
A minibus driver should:
• Always wear their seatbelt.
• Ensure that passengers know they are legally required to wear seat belts. Generally this means making an announcement at the beginning of the journey or, where people are boarding at different points, the driver needs to tell each passenger as they board the vehicle.
• Enforce any policies their organisation has in place such as
‘No belt, No trip’.
• Report any problems or concerns to their manager or supervisor,
such as:
o
o
o
o
o
A passenger refused to wear a seat belt.
A passenger keeps removing their seat belt.
Someone says they have a Medical Exemption Certificate which means they don’t have to wear a seat belt.
The belt isn’t long enough (very large passenger).
The belt doesn’t fit correctly (for example it cuts across the neck of children or very short people).
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This list includes the driver’s duties under the seat belt regulations, good
practice and the driver’s health and safety responsibilities to report
anything that may be a danger to people’s health or safety.
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Unrestrained passengers
If you need to transport an unrestrained passenger with a Medical
Exemption Certificate, best practice suggests that they should not sit
behind the driver or another passenger. They should also not sit alongside
the driver because of the risk of flying through the windscreen but should
sit at least one row back, with no-one sitting in the seats in front of them.
This should provide them with some protection and reduce the risk to other
people in the event of an accident.
Child restraints and seat belts:
transporting children safely by minibus
The law states that child restraints must be used if available and
appropriate. This means that it is not compulsory to provide them but they
must be used if they are:
• Available – in the minibus and not used by another child.
• Appropriate for the child – by age and weight.
• Appropriate for the minibus – they fit safely and securely.
Child seats are not generally suitable for the narrow seats in minibuses so
should only be used if they fit safely and securely. Booster cushions are
usually suitable and will substantially reduce the risk of injury to young
children.
Note: Some minibus seatbelts are fitted with an adjustable clip which can
be pushed down the seatbelt so that it is placed one to two inches above
the child’s shoulder, doing away with the need for a booster seat.
If you do not have appropriate child restraints available in a minibus,
the law says that children aged 3 to 11 years of age must wear adult
seat belts. Note that these will not fit correctly and will put the children
at greater risk of serious injury than adults using the same belt but this
complies with the law and is safer than travelling without a seat belt.
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If you regularly transport children under 12 years of age who are under
4’5” tall (135cms) you should seriously consider using booster cushions
as a minimum, as you have a duty of care to ensure that your passengers
travel safely.
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Children under three years of age
If you intend to transport children under three years of age in the front seats
of a minibus (those alongside and in line with the driver’s seat) then the law
requires you to use an appropriate baby or child seat. If one is not available
then it is illegal to transport a child under three in these seats.
If you intend to transport children under three years of age in the rear seats
of a minibus (any seats other than the front seats) you should use a baby seat
or child seat if one is available and appropriate for the age and weight of the
child. If a suitable child restraint is not available, it is legal for them to travel
unrestrained (provided they do not travel in the front seats) but clearly they
will be at very high risk in an accident. An appropriate baby or child seat is
therefore strongly recommended.
If a child is travelling unrestrained there are certain dangerous practices
that you should NEVER allow:
• An adult has a small child on their lap and wraps the seat belt around the two of them. In an accident the adult would crush the child, resulting in death or serious injury.
• The adult wears their seat belt and holds the child on their lap - the child is unbelted. In an accident the child would be propelled forward with great force, easily escaping the grip of the adult. A child flying forward unrestrained would again result in death or serious injury.
Driving a minibus with 9 – 16 passenger seats:
advice on driver licensing
As an organisation which uses minibuses, it is essential that you check that
your drivers are licensed to drive minibuses. This generally depends on
when they passed their UK car driving test:
Before 1997:
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These drivers can drive minibuses as they automatically received D1
entitlement when they passed their test. Complications usually only arise if
a driver has a medically restricted licence, passed their test abroad or has
reached the age of 70.
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1997 onwards:
These drivers only have ‘B’ licence entitlement, not D1, so their ability to
drive minibuses is very limited. There is a strict list of conditions that must
be met, including driving on a voluntary basis and maximum weight limits
which means that these drivers cannot drive the large, heavier minibuses.
This rules out most 15/16 seaters and accessible minibuses.
You should ensure that someone in your organisation fully understands the
law and takes on the responsibility for checking drivers’ licences to make
sure that they are correctly licensed for the vehicles they will be driving.
If you passed your car driving test before 1997:
• You can drive a minibus.
• You can be paid for driving, so can be a paid employee such as a teacher, care worker, youth worker or dial-a-ride driver or volunteer.
• This ‘minibus entitlement’ will be shown on your licence as:
o On newer-style licences: D1 (101) or D1 not for hire and reward.
o On older-style paper licences issued before 1990: Group A.
Note that some drivers with medically-restricted licences may have lost
their D1 entitlement when renewing their licences.
• The ‘minibus entitlement’ needs to be renewed when you reach 70 and this includes passing a medical.
Checklist: Can you drive a minibus without D1?
This checklist will help you decide whether drivers who passed their test
from 1997 onwards can legally drive a minibus.
To drive a minibus without D1 on your licence all of the following conditions
must be met:
The minibus
• Must be within the weight limits – the minibus has a maximum weight of no more than 3.5 tonnes (or 4.25 tonnes where a minibus has a passenger lift or ramp). This means that only the smaller, lighter minibuses can be driven without D1. Many minibuses are over the weight limit.
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(fares, donations, petrol money etc).
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The driver
• At least 21 years of age.
• Held a full licence (category B) for at least two years.
• Must be driving the minibus on a voluntary basis. This means:
o
o
They must not be paid for driving, other than out-of-pocket expenses.
Paid staff cannot drive a minibus in connection with their work. This means, for example, that paid care workers and youth workers need to take a D1 driving test before they can drive a minibus for work.
Teachers and School Employees: In 2006 guidelines were issued by the
Department of Education and Skills and separately by the Department
for Transport. Teachers who are school employees were to be treated as
‘incidental drivers’ and that there could be no compulsion for them to drive
a minibus; that it should not be in their job description; they should receive
no extra pay for driving and that they should have the right to refuse
driving duties.
In addition to this all the requirements of driving under a ‘B’ (i.e. weight
limits etc.) would still apply. MiDAS points out that the advice issued by
the above departments are guidelines only and have never been tested in
court. MiDAS therefore advises caution.
The driving:
• Within the UK only.
• No trailer. It would be illegal to tow even a small luggage trailer.
Check the weight of the minibus
Drivers without D1 can only drive minibuses up to certain weight –
by law. They must check the weight of the minibus they will be driving.
You need to find out the Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM), also know as
Gross Vehicle Weight or (GVW) of the minibus they will be driving. This
means the maximum weight permitted by the manufacturer when the
minibus is fully loaded.
On a B licence you can only drive up to:
3.5 tonnes MAM (or GVW) for a standard minibus, or
4.25 tonnes if it is fitted with a passenger lift or ramp.
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Many minibuses are over these weight limits. It is illegal to drive these
heavier minibuses unless the driver has D1 entitlement.
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Minibus driver training
Whilst minibuses are a relatively safe form of passenger transport, driving
a minibus requires skills over and above those required for driving a car.
Good practice dictates that all minibus drivers should have their driving
ability assessed and receive training in the skills and information which they
will need in order to drive a minibus.
MiDAS (Minibus Drivers Awareness Scheme)
MiDAS is part of a suite of training modules designed for minibus drivers
in the voluntary and not-for-profit sectors. MiDAS provides organisations
with the means to assess and train its drivers and passenger assistants to a
nationally recognised standard. It also includes a module for drivers of cars
and MPVs. There are a number of MiDAS Training providers in Dorset.
These include:
Dorset Community Transport
25e Sunrise Park
Higher Shaftesbury Road
Blandford Forum
Dorset, DT11 8ST
Telephone: 01258 287984
More information can also be obtained from:
Community Transport Association
Website:
www.ctauk
Email:
[email protected]
Telephone: 0845 130 6195
Making the journey
In order to ensure passengers and vehicle safety meet legal requirements
there are a number of checks which drivers should always carry out before
driving a minibus. They should not take too long and will be of benefit to:
• The passengers – who will not want to be in a vehicle that breaks down.
• The driver – who can be sure that the vehicle is safe and legal to drive.
• The organisation owning the vehicle – as the life of the vehicle will be Dorset Minibus Directory - Helping communities to help themselves
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extended if it is looked after.
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Starting-off procedure
The Vehicle Check - each item checked should be recorded on a check
sheet or log, prior to making the journey, which should be signed and
dated by the driver. A V.O.S.A. Inspector or the Police have the right to
board a minibus and carry out an inspection at any time and this is one of
the documents they would want to inspect.
The driver should check:
• For external damage to the bodywork.
• All doors operate correctly.
o
Doors do not need to be unlocked until there are passengers on board; if a driver is starting a journey from a deserted or remote location on their own, then it would be safer to begin their journey with the doors locked (with the exception of the drivers’ doors, so that entry is possible in the event of an accident); as soon as a passenger boards, then all doors need to be unlocked.
• Tyre condition and pressure.
o
MiDAS suggests a daily visual check on tyres, for any obvious signs of sidewall damage or under-inflation. The latter should then be checked with the pressure gauge. A full check of all the tyre pressures should be carried out at weekly intervals, on a set day of the week and recorded in the vehicle log. A full tyre pressure check should also be carried out before any long journeys.
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• Brakes are fully operational.
• Oil and water levels (if the engine is cold).
• Brake fluid, washer fluid and fuel levels.
• All lights and indicators are working and clean.
• Windscreen wipers and washers are in working order.
• Mirrors are intact and correctly positioned.
• Windows and mirrors are clean.
• Horn is in working order.
• All seats are fixed and secure.
• That seat belts are undamaged and in working order.
• Passenger lift or ramp is securely stowed where fitted.
• Fire extinguishers are intact and there is a complete first aid kit.
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• That there is sufficient and appropriate equipment for any wheelchair users on the journey – wheelchair tie-downs, passenger seat belts
and harness.
• Any necessary paperwork is completed.
Drivers should allow sufficient time before the journey in order to carry out
these checks. When planning your route, be aware that time will need to be
allowed for driver and passenger breaks.
Completion procedure
At the end of each trip the driver should check that:
• There is no external damage to the bodywork.
• The vehicle is parked safely and legally with the handbrake firmly applied.
• All switches are off.
• Any seats which were removed are securely refitted.
• The passenger lift/ramp is correctly stowed.
• The minibus is left in a clean and tidy condition.
• Any paperwork is complete including log sheets, defect and
accidents reports.
• Any use of a first aid kit or fire extinguisher is reported.
Minibus speed limits
Where there are no signs setting the speed limit, the following should
be observed:
• Built up area where lights are closer than 200 yards: • Roads subject to national speed limit: • Dual carriageway
• Motorway
30 mph
50 mph
60 mph
70 mph
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Note – minibuses are usually fitted with a speed limiter of 62 mph
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Hiring a minibus from
Dorset Youth Association
Who can use a Dorset County Council
insured mini-bus?
Every youth organisation who wishes to use Dorset County Council’s minibuses must be affiliated to Dorset Youth Association. The current affiliation
fee is £25 per annum.
Who can drive them?
Each affiliated organisation can nominate drivers to complete the Driver
Familiarisation Programme. In order to be eligible to drive the mini-bus, the
driver must have a full category D or a driving category D1 without a 101
restriction on their licence. Ideally the driver should have passed their test
prior to 1st January 1997. If the nominated driver passed their test after this
date, please contact Dorset Youth Association and we will discuss
the options.
How does a driver become eligible to use a
Dorset County Council mini-bus?
Each nominated driver must complete the Mini-Bus Driver Familiarisation 2
hour Programme as well as a Driver Risk Assessment. Details of the Driving
Instructors able to offer this familiarisation programme are available from
Dorset Youth Association. The cost of this training is £50 payable directly to
the instructor and this certification is valid for 3 years.
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Driver Risk Assessments must be completed annually. These are available
from Dorset Youth Association. A copy of the risk assessments must be
passed to the person responsible for the mini-bus at the organisation whose
vehicle you are using. That person must contact Dorset Youth Association to
confirm they have received the completed risk assessment. We will inform
Dorset County Council who will then add the driver and the club to the
insurance policy. You can use the same risk assessment to use any Dorset
County Council insured mini-bus.
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What mini-buses are available for my
organisation to use?
A list of mini-buses insured by Dorset County Council is available from
Dorset Youth Association.
How does my organisation book a mini-bus?
The driver/affiliated club or group needs to contact the holder of the minibus they want to borrow and negotiate the use and the cost that will
be incurred.
Bookings in all instances are arranged between the youth centre, school or
children’s centre and the affiliated club.
Do I need a Section 19 Permit?
If your club or group is requesting a contribution from members towards
the cost of transportation a Section 19 Permit is required. The cost is £11
and the application form is available from Dorset Youth Association. The
permits are valid up to a maximum of 5 years and must be displayed in the
vehicle when your club is using it. You need one permit for each vehicle you
are using.
If you have any questions relating to the use of mini-buses,
please contact:
Youth Project Worker Jay Brown - Dorset Youth Association
on 01305-262440 or e-mail [email protected].
Dorset Youth Association HQ
Lubbecke Way, Dorchester
Dorset, DT1 1QL
Telephone: 01305 262440
Email – [email protected]
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Registered Charity Number: 306009
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Minibus directory
Organisation
Dorset Community Transport (DCT)
Vechicle details and location
40 minibuses of various types 10 - 17 seats
Some with lifts and various wheel chair space. Please contact DCT to check full details
Various locations: Blandford, Sturminster Newton, Dorchester, Sherborne, Weymouth,
Bridport and surrounding areas
Availability
Evenings and weekends. School holidays. Term time approximately 10am - 1:45pm.
Cost and conditions
Professional DCT own drivers only. All drivers DBS checked, uniformed MiDAS
and First Aid trained. Quotes available for both one-off or regular journeys.
Contact details
Operation controller
[email protected]
01258 287984
Bovington
Organisation
Ministry of Defence Bovington
Vechicle details and location
Ford 8 seats No. of wheel chairs x 2 only if folded and stored with luggage.
2 Vehicles. Bovington. Lift 
Ramp
Availability
Phone for availability. Driver must hold full Cat B (car) licence and be aged over 25.
Cost and conditions
£50 per day and unlimited mileage. Vehicles are fully insured for UK and Europe.
Issued with a full tank of petrol to be returned with full tank at end of hire period.
Contact details
Dorset Minibus Directory - Helping communities to help themselves
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Lt Colonel Stewart A Burman MBE
[email protected]
01929 403666
POPP
19
Bridport
Organisation
Axe Valley and West Dorset Ring and Ride Service Ltd.
Vechicle details and location
Citroen Relay 13 seats No. of wheel chairs x 3. Bridport.
Lift 
Ramp 
Availability
Sundays only
Cost and conditions
The driver is included in the hire cost £70 full day, £40 half day, £7 per hour
25p per mile fuel. Professional driver. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Jane Hopson-Hill
[email protected]
01404 462520
Organisation
Chancery House Day Centre
Vechicle details and location
Make TBC. 11 seats No. of wheel chairs x 1. Bridport.
Lift 
Ramp
Availability
Thursday and weekends only
Cost and conditions
Only available with own paid professional driver. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Dorset Minibus Directory - Helping communities to help themselves
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Julie Hicks
01308 424357
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20
Charminster
Organisation
Cowden Care Farm
Vechicle details and location
Renault 8 seats. Vauxhall 8 seats.
Lift 
Ramp 
wheel chair access 
Charminister near Dorchester
Availability
Evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
Cost and conditions
Phone for full details. Professional driver. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Anna Hall
[email protected]
07989 541923
Christchurch
Organisation
Dial-a-bus
Vechicle details and location
Renault Esprit. 12 seats. No. of wheel chairs x 2. Christchurch
Lift 
Ramp
Availability
Unavailable Thursday and Friday
Cost and conditions
Phone for full details. Volunteer driver. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Dorset Minibus Directory - Helping communities to help themselves
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Barry Short
[email protected]
07890 44891
POPP
21
Christchurch
Organisation
Age Concern
Vechicle details and location
Iveco Isis 13 seats No. of wheel chairs x 2 folding, 1 open. Christchurch
Lift 
Ramp 
Availability
Hired out to local service organisation when not in use
Cost and conditions
Usually with own professional or volunteer driver. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Barrie Kenyon
[email protected]
01202 488311 (ACC office)
Dorchester
Organisation
Dorchester Disabled Club
Vechicle details and location
Mercedes 410D. 16 seats No. of wheel chairs x 2. Sandringham Sports Centre.
Lift 
Ramp
Availability
Available for one off trips by appointment only.
Phone the transport manager on 01300 820200 or 01305 268422 for full details
Cost and conditions
Own paid professional drivers at £1.20 per mile. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Dorset Minibus Directory - Helping communities to help themselves
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Mrs I.E. Calcutt
[email protected]
01305 2623085
POPP
22
Honiton
Organisation
TRIP CTA
Vechicle details and location
Mercedes Sprinter (3) 15 seats No. of wheel chairs x 4
Lift 
Ramp 
Mercedes Sprinter (1) 13 seats No. of wheel chairs x 3
Lift 
Ramp 
Renault Master (2) 2 x 7 seats
All based in Honiton.
Lift 
Ramp 
No. of wheel chairs x 2
Availability
Varies daily according to other user requests. Usually available 7 days a week
Cost and conditions
Hire rates hourly plus mileage. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Neil Horlock
[email protected]
01404 46529
Portland
Organisation
Island Community Action
Vechicle details and location
Peugeot Boxer. 7 seats No. of wheel chairs x 1. Portland
Lift 
Ramp 
Availability cost and conditions
Please phone for full details of availability and cost
Contact details
Dorset Minibus Directory - Helping communities to help themselves
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Jackie Carpenter
[email protected]
01305 823 789
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23
Portland
Organisation
Island of Portland Aldridge Community Academy - IPACA
Vechicle details and location
LDV Maxus 16 seats No. of wheel chairs x 1. Grove Campus - Portland
Lift 
Ramp 
Availability
Unavailable before 9:30am or between 3:00 - 6:30pm during term time
Cost and conditions
Phone for cost details. Own professional driver. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Ms April Lock
[email protected]
01305 820 563
Organisation
Sunbeams Day Nursery
Vechicle details and location
Nissan Van 7 seats No. of wheel chairs x 1. Southwell, Portland
Lift 
Ramp
Availability
Phone for availability - in use daily 8:30 - 9:30am and 2:30 - 3:30pm
Cost and conditions
Phone for costs. Professional and volunteer driver. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Dorset Minibus Directory - Helping communities to help themselves
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Jane Urquhart-Sims
[email protected]
01305 823111
POPP
24
Shaftesbury
Organisation
St Marys School
Vechicle details and location
Ford Transit 16 seats Shaftesbury
Lift 
Ramp 
wheel chair access 
Availability
School holidays only
Cost and conditions
Phone for cost details. Own professional driver. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Louis Tuson
[email protected]
01747 851188
Sherborne
Organisation
Sherborne and District Voluntary Ambulance
Vechicle details and location
Iveco 16 seats No. of wheel chairs x 3. Sherborne
Lift 
Ramp
Availability
Limited availability phone for details
Cost and conditions
Phone for costs. Own volunteer driver. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Dorset Minibus Directory - Helping communities to help themselves
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John Millar
01935 873784
POPP
25
Sturminster Newton
Organisation
Nordcat - North Dorset Community Accessible Transport
Vechicle details and location
Ford Transit 16 seats
Lift 
Ramp 
wheel chair access 
Mercedes Sprinter 13 seats
Lift 
Ramp 
No. of wheel chairs x 3.
Renault master 7 seats
Lift 
Ramp 
No. of wheel chairs x 2.
All vehicles are fitted with seat belts on all seats. Sturminster Newton
Availability
Varies on daily basis according to other users. Usually available 7 days a week
Cost and conditions
Hourly rate plus mileage. Professional and self drive. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Helen Reed
[email protected]
01258 472164
Organisation
Equilibrium Youth Work and Equilibrium Skills Training
Vechicle details and location
Ford Transit 16 seats
Peugeot Boxer 16 seats
Lift 
Lift 
Ramp 
Ramp 
wheel chair access 
wheel chair access 
Sturminster Newton
Availability
Outside of normal office hours - evening and weekends
Cost and conditions
Hourly rate plus mileage. Professional and self drive. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Dorset Minibus Directory - Helping communities to help themselves
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Paul Williams
[email protected]
01258 472603
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26
Swanage
Organisation
Swanage Disabled Club (SDC)
Vechicle details and location
Ford Transit 14 seats
Lift 
Ramp 
Iveco 11 seats
No. of wheel chairs x 6.
Lift 
No. of wheel chairs x 8.
Ramp 
Both in Swanage
Availability
Unavailable Mondays.
Cost and conditions
SDC rules insist both a driver and escort must accompany passengers. Drivers must
be approved by SDC with categories C1 and D1 on their licence. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Robert Payne
[email protected]
01929 423729
Verwood
Organisation
Verwood Age Concern
Vechicle details and location
Citroen 13 seats No. of wheel chairs x 6. Lift  Ramp 
Verwood
Availability
Unavailable Monday and Wednesday and first Thursday of the month
Cost and conditions
Phone to clarify insurance constraints by other groups or drivers. MiDAS required.
Contact details
Dorset Minibus Directory - Helping communities to help themselves
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G Simpkin or M Daymond
[email protected]
01202 818305 01202 822549
POPP
27
Wareham
Organisation
Wareham Lions Club
Vechicle details and location
TBC 9 seats No. of wheel chairs x 1. Wareham.
Lift 
Ramp 
Availability
Contact to check availability
Cost and conditions
50p per mile plus voluntary donation of £30. All drivers are volunteers, all money
raised goes towards keeping buses roadworthy, safe and eventually replaced.
MiDAS required.
Contact details
Colin Appleton
[email protected]
01929 552110
Organisation
Wareham Disabled Club
Vechicle details and location
Mercedes Sprinter 14 seats No. of wheel chairs x 3. Wareham.
LDV Convoy 11 seats No. of wheel chairs x 4. Wareham.
Lift 
Ramp 
Availability
Unavailable Mondays, 2 Wednesday, first Tuesday and 2nd Thursday per month.
Cost and conditions
50p per mile plus voluntary donation of £30. All drivers are volunteers, all money
raised goes towards keeping buses roadworthy, safe and eventually replaced.
MiDAS required.
Contact details
Dorset Minibus Directory - Helping communities to help themselves
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Bryan Bashford
[email protected]
01929 553419
POPP
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