Volunteer Drivers

The Villager Community Bus Service is managed and run entirely by volunteers. We are always looking for new volunteer drivers, male or female, who can spare and commit to at least one morning or afternoon every fortnight, or each week for the Chippy Shuttle. The driving duties are not onerous and certainly provide a worthwhile opportunity to “give something back” to your local community.

Our drivers have some common characteristics: an affinity for helping others (as many of our passengers are elderly and return from shopping trips with heavy bags and trolleys, many of our drivers help them off the bus and even to their front door) and for driving. You will, of course, also need a clean driving licence. Age is not necessarily a barrier although you must have a D1 category on your licence. Once drivers reach 70 they are required to obtain medical clearance to carry on driving for The Villager and all must retire at 79.

Our buses are predominantly 16-seater Mellor Orions, so HGV licences are not required. Initial instruction is provided in relation to the operation of the buses, plus the routes and timetables, fares and generally look after passengers in a safe and caring way. Formal instruction and assessment is provided through the MIDAS minibus proficiency course, which all drivers must re-sit every four years.

All drivers are assigned a regular route, which they share with a co-driver on a fortnightly basis. Many of the routes themselves are picturesque, regardless of the weather, which adds to the sense of satisfaction at the end of a drive. And, if you have the time, we run a number of hirings which also need drivers during the week and at weekends.

For more information, contact Keith Gowing (Tel: 01608 811617) or Roger Formby (Tel: 01451 830439).