Community Transport
Covid etc: Whilst our private bookings and excursions have had to be suspended during the pandemic, and our scheduled services likewise, our scheduled services have been back and running for a couple of months now, albeit with the bus operating at only 50% capacity (8 seats), to enable passengers to be spaced out, so far as possible. This is in line with the practice adopted by mainstream commercial operators. Mask wearing, unless you are exempt, remains mandatory.
We are now in a position to recommence accepting private bookings and running excursions. We accept that many people may wish only to travel with a maximum of 8 people and, to that end , as from 09/08/2021, for a limited period, we are offering a 50% discount on all bookings. If passengers are willing, however, we are also willing to accept bookings by parties of up to 15 (full capacity) – and the 50% discount will still apply. Please contact our Bookings Secretary, Janis Dick, to discuss your requirements
Click her to download the current timetable for our scheduled routes:
Useful Downloads
MINUTES
We no longer lodge Minutes of past meetings on the website, but, once approved by a subsequent meeting, they can be requested from us by emailing thornhillcommunitytransport@yahoo.co.uk or calling 07842 163775.
Booking the Minibus
Who Can Book?
Recognised Community Groups, such as Youth Clubs, Sports Clubs, Church Groups, Organisations for the Disabled; also more informal groups or individuals needing transport to places of Worship, Community Activities, Cultural and/or Educational Events.
The party or individual making the booking agrees to our Terms & Conditions and is responsible for ensuring their group abides by these
Our drivers are all volunteers. They are not paid and do not expect, or accept ‘tips’.
We cannot guarantee that the bus, or a driver, will always be available. We will, however, do our best to help out wherever we can.
It is a particular requirement that any groups of children, or other groups considered ‘vulnerable’ will be accompanied by a responsible person who, if necessary, will take adequate steps to ensure the proper and safe conduct of all traveling on the bus. The driver cannot undertake this function.
The more notice you can give us of a booking, the more likely it is that we will be able to help.
What Does It Cost?
We charge:
£1 per hour that the bus is away from its base, plus:
80p per mile for the first 100 miles
60p per mile thereafter
50p per mile (flat rate) for groups of children (Scouts,
Youth Groups etc)
All subject to a minimum charge of £15.
Some Examples:
A trip to the Ice Bowl in Dumfries, starting from Thornhill would cost approximately:
5pm—9.00pm: 4 hours = £ 4.00
Approx 35 miles @ 80p = £28.00
Total £32.00
= £2 per head, if bus full (15 passengers)
A trip to Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow might cost
9am-6pm = 9 hours £ 9.00
100miles @ 80p = £80.00
36 miles @ 60p = £21.60
Total = £110.60
= under £7.50 per head, if bus full
A party of children, traveling to the Bowling Alley in Carlisle might cost:
5pm—10pm= 5 hours £ 5.00
100 miles @ 50p = £50.00
Total £55.00
= under £4.00 per head, if bus full. Note: there must also be at least one accompanying adult, who will be responsible for the children.
Some Things To Bear In Mind…
If the originally planned for distance varies, for example due to a road closure, or to additional pick-ups or drop-offs having to be made, the final cost may be slightly more than originally quoted for. It might, of course, be slightly less. Those booking should, therefore, be prepared for the final amount charged varying.
If your trip involves you being taken somewhere, being left there for much of the day, and being collected later, the bus and driver may need to return to base and come back for you: this is known as a ‘Double Journey’ and the time and mileage are chargeable. You will be advised of the likelihood of this when booking.
We charge by time and by distance: it is the responsibility of the group leader making the booking to ensure that the whole charge can be met, and to divide up who pays what accordingly. It is particularly important to bear this in mind in the event of ‘no shows’, as the overall hire charge cannot be abated.
The Driver will, as mentioned, be a volunteer. If, your trip is long, and extends over mealtimes, there is an expectation that the driver would be included in any meal arrangements you might be making or, at the very least, that you would give him/her the opportunity to purchase, and eat, a meal, and that you would contribute something towards this.
At the time of writing, PVG Certification is not available to us as an organization (though many of our individual drivers have it ), so we cannot undertake to provide PVG certified personnel. It is, therefore, a particular requirement that any groups of children, or other groups considered ‘vulnerable’ will be accompanied by a responsible person who, if necessary, has the relevant certification in terms of Protection of Vulnerable Groups legislation and who will be able to meet the needs of any such vulnerable passengers, such as moving and handling including, where necessary, assuming responsibility for the proper and safe conduct of passengers.
The Driver’s primary responsibility is to the vehicle and his/her ability to concentrate on driving conditions must not be compromised. The driver has complete discretion to discontinue any journey, should he/she feel that it cannot be completed safely, whether because of road conditions, the condition of the vehicle, or the health or conduct of anyone in the vehicle.
The foregoing are considered material conditions upon our acceptance of any booking.
Please contact us at thornhillcommunitytransport@yahoo.co.uk or on (01848) 330067 for clarification of any of these points.
Who Can Book the Bus? Recognised Community Groups, such as Youth Clubs, Sports Clubs, Church Groups, Organisations for the Disabled; also more informal groups or individuals needing transport to places of Worship, Community Activities, Cultural and/or Educational Events.
How Many Can You Take? The bus seats 15 people (plus the driver). It can accommodate up to 3 wheel-chairs, but, depending on the size, this can involve the removal of up to three ordinary seats per wheelchair. We will do our best to accommodate child seats/boosters where appropriate, but do not provide them.
Can I book the bus and drive it myself? No. We under-take to provide a trained driver. This ensures your safety, protects the condition of the vehicle and is a requirement of our remit.
Who pays your drivers? Our drivers, Committee and Office Bearers are all volunteers. They are not paid and do not expect, or accept, ‘tips’. What you pay goes directly towards the running costs of the vehicle and our (very small) operating costs, as do any donations kindly put in our various collecting tins in the local area.
My family and I want to go to a wedding in Edinburgh . Can you help? Unless one or more of you specifically needs an accessible vehicle to travel in, this is not really in accordance with our remit. Our drivers are volun-teers and the Government and various parts of the Community have provided the vehicle to be used mainly for work of benefit to the Community. There may be occasions when we are able to help but, for the most part, we must respectfully direct such enquiries to local commercial operators.
Can I book the bus to help me move a fridge-freezer? Sorry—it’s a passenger-carrying vehicle only.
How Do I Book?
07842 163775 and c/o Janis Dick, 01848 330067
Phone the Booking Line: 07842 163775
E-mail: thornhillcommunitytransport@yahoo.co.uk
Tell us:
- Who you are and how we can contact you
- When you wish to book for
- Where you’re going, and what time you want to set off
- Who is to be picked up, and from where
- When you want to set off for home
- Who’s to be dropped off, and where
- Any wheelchair users or other things we should know
- We’ll call you back to confirm availability and provide you with a quote.
Office Bearers & Members of the Association
Chairman and Secretary: David Kerr
Vice Chairman: David Formstone
Treasurer: David Dick
Bookings Secretary: Janis Dick
Drier Trainer: Rolf Buwert
Bus Manager: Ronnie Gibson
Association Members: Robert Cook, Peter Johnson, Alison McMillan, Euan McMillan, John Maxwell, Mary Newbould, Greg Parker, Robin Robertson, Keith Walker.
Where we are