Community groups in Mid and West Cornwall who need the use of a minibus have been invited to join an innovative minibus brokerage scheme - Minibuses for All.

Currently, many groups cannot afford to hire minibuses, while others have minibuses that are not in use all of the time.  By becoming members of the brokerage scheme, these groups will be able to share minibuses on a not-for-profit basis.  

The scheme has been made possible thanks to funding from The Countryside Agency and from Engage West Cornwall - the body that distributes Single Regeneration Budget funding for community projects in Kerrier, Penwith and the Penwerris Ward of Falmouth.

Colin Garrick from MfA said:  "The brokerage scheme gives community groups the opportunity to make better use of existing resources by sharing them.  Many minibuses that stand idle during the evenings and at weekends could be used by organisations that normally could not afford to hire them.  We already have a number of buses available and hope that more minibus-owning groups will join the scheme."

MfA will also enable member groups to ring one telephone number rather than have to spend time and money phoning around different organisations.

Importantly, MfA will also be able to fund free minibus driver training - with two drivers from each organisation eligible to join the brokerage scheme.

Chris Billing, Cornwall County Council Road Safety Officer (Driver/Rider Training), was enthusiastic:  "By providing and encouraging training, Minibuses for All is helping to promote the safer driving of minibuses in Cornwall."

Tim Andrewes from the West Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Rural Transport Partnership said:  "There are many community groups in West Cornwall who have occasional need of minibus transport. This project will be very important in helping to meet their needs in an affordable way."

Councillor Malcolm Moyle, Kerrier District Council Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Arts and Culture, added:  "Kerrier District Council is pleased to be a member of this innovative scheme.  Our two high-spec minibuses are already used by a number of community groups for a variety of uses, but by joining this scheme they will be of even more benefit to everyone in our community."

Tracey Roose is Chief Executive of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Age Concern, one of the prime movers behind the scheme.  "Through one telephone number, members of Minibuses for All can obtain up-to-date information on minibuses that are available in their area," she explained.  "This scheme builds on our experience of running the TAP Car Services and is another example of how working in partnership can benefit older people in Cornwall."

"Lack of transport has consistently been identified as a barrier to social inclusion," said Anne Nicholls of Engage.  "This scheme will provide an affordable minibus hire service for community groups and make better use of vehicles available within the community."

The project will meet the strategic objectives of the SRB funding programme by enhancing the employment prospects, education and skills of local people.  MfA is expected to deliver training in minibus driving, customer care, disability awareness and manual handling to over 300 volunteers during the first three years.

To celebrate the start of the scheme, founder members of MfA brought their minibuses along to a grand launch at Carn Brea Leisure Centre on 8^th June.

Phil Boorman, Cornwall County Council Rural Transport Officer, said:  "The launch of MfA is a major milestone for community-based transport in Cornwall.  Not only will MfA assist organisations without their own transport to find the nearest available, but it will also help existing operators to make more efficient use of pooled resources."

If you would like more information on MfA, please ring Colin Garrick on 01872 266388.