Community Transport Manchester

Project Manager - Carl Schoolden
K Street Centre
Kay Street
Openshaw
Manchester
M11 2DX

Tel: 0161 2231234
Fax: 0161 2307788
Email: manchester@communitytransport.org

CT Manchester

  1. 1. About us
  2. 2. Who can use Community Transport Manchester (CTM)
  3. What we provide
  4. How to use CT
  5. Partnership working
  6. MiDAS/DAT Training
  7. Volunteer Drivers
1. About us
Community Transport Manchester (CTM) formerly Community Minibus Agency is part of the National Community Transport (Registered charity No. 247331). Community Transport (CT) operate 13 transport related projects countrywide providing a diverse range of people within communities with the opportunities to services, transport and training.
2. Who can use CTM?
Any community, voluntary charity, not-for-profit organisation or individual.
For example, groups relating to education, religion, social welfare, recreation or other activities that benefit the community.
3. What we provide
CTM can provide accessible and non-accessible minibuses varying in size from 16 to 11 passenger seats. Accessible means the vehicle has a passenger lift and are ideal for people with mobility difficulties or people using a wheelchair. Our vehicles have safety inspections every 8 weeks to ensure they are maintained to a satisfactory standard.
Minibuses can be hired with or without a driver. All driver's must be trained to Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS) standard.
4. How to use Community Transport Manchester
To use our service, every group or individual must become a member. This is absolutely free and is necessary for operating licensing purposes.
Membership forms are available electronically and from our office.
Please fill in and return via email, fax or post.
Once you fill in and return the membership form to our office then you will be a member of Community Transport Manchester.
Bookings have to be confirmed in writing before CTM will accept a booking. Groups however can phone up to check availability but it is not the charity's policy to take or "hold" bookings over the phone.
If you require one of our drivers then we would recommend you book two weeks in advance in order to give us enough time to find a volunteer driver.
If you are using your own driver then we will need to see their driving license and MiDAS certificate before your group goes out on their first trip.
5. Partnership Working
CTM work in partnership with several organizations . GMPTE, Community Transport Services, GMATL and MCT who we jointly operate a DRT service in North Manchester as well as a shopping service with Sainsbury's.
It is hoped that following further meetings with Manchester City Council other partnerships can be forged.
6. MiDAS/ DATs training
Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS)
Any voluntary/community group wishing to use our vehicles with their own designated driver must be able to demonstrate that they have been trained to our recognized standard. Through the MiDAS drivers are trained to a nationally recognized standard for minibus driving, which meet
Driver Assessor Trainer (DAT)
When qualified as a DAT, a person can train other people to MiDAS standard. People who become DATs are generally those who work for an organisation or charity that involves all their staff continually being trained to MiDAS standard.
The DAT course lasts 4 to 5 days depending on whether you opt for the accessible or non-accessible course. A DAT certificate is valid for 2 years, after which a 1 day refresher course can be completed.
7. Volunteer Driving
Community Transport Manchester rely on volunteer drivers to drive over 500 community & voluntary groups to local places and further a field each year. Our current team of volunteer drivers provide over 300 hours of driving time a month. If you are using one of our volunteer drivers you can be confident that they are fully MiDAS trained and have had an enhanced CRB disclosure.
Volunteer driving is a fantastic opportunity to work with a diverse range of people in the community, so if you have any spare time and want to do some worthwhile volunteering we'd like to hear from you.
Expenses are paid for, MiDAS training will be provided if necessary, and you will be required to have an enhanced CRB.
Volunteer Application forms are available from our office.