Risborough Area Community Bus
BUSINESS PLAN FY 2018/2019
01 June 2018
INTRODUCTION
1. Risborough Area Community Bus (RACB) was set up in 2010 by Risborough Area Community Action (RACA) and is currently represented on Risborough Area Partnership (RAP), the successor to RACA. RACB operates as a Company Limited by Guarantee and as a registered charity. It provides a “Hail and Ride” scheduled service to carry people in the residential areas of Princes Risborough and Monks Risborough and the villages of Bledlow, Bledlow Ridge, Longwick, Speen, Lacey Green, Loosley Row, Askett, the Kimbles (Great & Little Kimble), Ellesborough, Butlers Cross and Terrick, to and from the centre of Princes Risborough. The current timetable came into effect on 1 October 2017. The timetable is given at Annex A. The bus also provides a feeder service to both train and major bus services through the town. National Concessionary Bus Passes and Citizencards are accepted.
2. When not in use during evenings, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and on Sundays, the bus is available for use by local non-profit making groups with priority being given to the disabled and disadvantaged. Additionally, RACB organises outings to local places of interest.
MISSION STATEMENT
3. Risborough Area Community Bus (RACB) is dedicated to providing low floor, easily accessible transport in and around Princes Risborough and surrounding villages for all those, of all ages, inadequately served by public transport.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
4. Risborough Area Community Bus is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee (No: 7150185).
5. Risborough Area Community Bus is a Registered Charity. (No: 1136169).
6. Risborough Area Community Bus is a member of the Community Transport Association (CTA). (Membership No: 95674).
DISSOLUTION
7. In the event of dissolution, assets after debts and liabilities have been paid will be transferred in accordance with the requirements of the Company Limited by Guarantee Articles of Association.
OPERATING LICENCE
8. Risborough Area Community Bus operates under Section 22 of the Transport Act 1985. The current permit No. is CB 001212.
VEHICLE
9. A Bluebird Tucana minibus was bought in May 2010 and sold in May 2016 to a community bus service called Ourbus in the Bartons, Oxfordshire. A new Mercedes Sprinter low-floor Community Bus for RACB was purchased in March 2016 courtesy of a substantial grant from the Department for Transport resulting from a successful bid in 2014/15 to their Community Transport Minibus
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Fund. Extras for the bus were made possible by a further award from the North West Chilterns Local Area Forum. The Sprinter has seats for up to 15 passengers and has a low entry floor with easy access for the disabled and for shopping trolleys, buggies and walking aids. It is capable of carrying an occupied wheelchair, fully secured by 4 floor restraints and lap/shoulder strap.
MANAGEMENT
10. Overall control of RACB is exercised by a Board of Directors/Trustees, currently with 8 members, under the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Risborough Area Community Bus. The Board of Directors/Trustees is responsible for setting the overall strategy for RACB and for ensuring RACB meets the legal requirements of Companies House and the Charity Commissioners.
11. Management of services is exercised by a Management Committee, currently with 11 members of whom 6 are active drivers. The Committee meets 6 times per year at 2 monthly intervals. The Management Committee is fully accountable at all times to the RACB Board of Directors/Trustees. The RACB Board of Directors/Trustees has the power to appoint, override, amend, or dismiss the RACB Management Committee.
12. The Management Committee manages all day-to-day operations including route selection and implementation; bus maintenance; recruitment, selection, training, certification and management of volunteer drivers; scheduling of drivers on service routes, group usage and outings; marketing and publicity for RACB; ensuring that the health & safety of passengers and drivers is maintained at all times to the highest possible standard; liaison with the Community Transport Association (CTA), the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Local Authority to ensure legality and continuity of operation.
13. The Management Committee manages financial matters including the maintenance of a financial plan; setting, collecting and accounting of cash fares; collection and accounting of cash donations; managing accounts wisely, legally and efficiently; facilitating an annual examination by a “Qualified Person”; managing investments to maximise income whilst minimising risk; ensuring adequate and comprehensive insurance cover for bus and drivers, including personal indemnity cover.
14. The Management Committee provides administrative functions including the appointment and remuneration of a Coordinator; the appointment and remuneration of an accountant; drawing up an annual Business Plan for consideration by the Board of Directors; maintaining data on bus operations; planning and execution of meetings.
15. A list of the Board of Directors/Trustees is given at Annex B together with the composition of the Management committee. The relationship between the Directors/Trustees, Management Committee and other volunteers is shown at Annex E.
STAFFING
16. Day-to-day co-ordination of bus operations is carried out by a paid self-employed co-ordinator.
17. A self-employed qualified accountant is remunerated to ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations.
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VOLUNTEERS
18. The Board of Directors/Trustees and the Management Committee are volunteers; a list of them is shown at Annex B.
19. A pool of approximately thirty volunteer drivers are trained on the company’s minibus having first passed the Minibus Drivers’ Awareness Scheme (MiDAS) course. All drivers undertake a MiDAS course every 4 years and are also refreshed biennially by a MiDAS-qualified instructor. All volunteer drivers meet together biannually for update briefings on policy and operations. First Aid courses are also provided for volunteer drivers.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
20. The projected budget for the Financial Year 2018/19 is set out in Annex C
21. Bus running costs are based on:
a. 26,000 miles. (25,000 miles on scheduled service; 1000 miles on Group Use/RACB Outings and miscellaneous).
b. Diesel consumption at 20 mpg, (7.0 kilometres per litre).
c. Diesel price £1.30 net of refundable VAT per litre.
d. 94% of passengers travel with Concessionary Passes.
e. Concessionary Pass remuneration is approximately 50% of the published fare.
f. The Bus Service Operators’ Grant (BSOG) being 34.57p per litre.
22. Users of the bus are charged a fare of £1.50 per single journey within Princes Risborough, Monks Risborough and Longwick, and £2 per single journey to and from Bledlow, Bledlow Ridge, Speen and the Kimbles. All children aged 16 and under travel free on all routes. Income from fare collection (including from the rebate on concessionary fares) is based on:
a. 400 single fares each week within Princes Risborough, Monks Risborough and Longwick including 45 single fares each week to and from Bledlow, Bledlow Ridge, Speen, Askett and the Kimbles/Ellesborough.
c. To allow for Public Holidays a notional year comprising of 50 weeks.
23. Group Use charges are £5 per hour, minimum £25, plus £1 per mile. Projected income from Group Use in Annex C is based on 2 tasks per month generating an estimated gross income of £2000 during the year. The Chairman Management Committee, Treasurer and Coordinator together have discretion to offer a discounted rate in special circumstances.
24. RACB Organised Outings, based on an average of 2 outings per month in the winter, 3 per month in the summer, are expected to generate an estimated gross income of £2000 during the year.
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25. Bus depreciation has been set at 25% per year. The current residual value of the bus is estimated at around £47,250. A reserve fund has been set aside to offset depreciation and provide for a replacement minibus in approximately 4 years’ time.
MARKETING PLAN
26. RACB has developed a marketing strategy designed to ensure continuity of the service at or above current passenger demand. Part of this review includes a route review which may result in minor amendments to routes during 2018/19. Day-to-day marketing is exercised by:
a. the Risborough Area Partnership via the Risborough Area Portal
b. distribution of leaflets and timetables.
c. County, District and Parish Councils’ magazines.
d. Chiltern View Magazine.
e. the RACB web-site.
f. local media.
g. electronic displays in local doctors' surgeries and the local library.
MONITORING
27. The Board of Directors/Trustees review the service at least half-yearly to evaluate how passenger requirements are being met and how improvements to the service can be considered, agreed and implemented. Passengers are consulted by questionnaire at least once every two years.
28. The Board of Directors/Trustees monitor the financial situation at least quarterly.
EVALUATION
29. Experience gained and data collected over the past 8 years show that the original business plan for RACB was entirely valid. The Board of Directors/Trustees believe that customer demand for RACB services will continue unabated for the foreseeable future.
30. There is potential for an expansion of housing in and around Princes Risborough suggesting that demand for community bus services could increase. Trustees of Risborough Area Community Bus have made it clear that they would only consider the possibility of taking on new or significantly extended routes subject to the following provisos:
a. RACB's current bus is already fully committed; new or significantly extended services would require the provision of a second bus; and b. because RACB relies totally on volunteer drivers, services can only be provided at off-peak times (between 0900 and 1630) during weekdays and Saturdays.
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There are also likely to be lower subsidies available from local authorities for commercial bus services in the future requiring community bus services such as RACB to increase their operations.
31. In 2016 RACB was awarded the Community Transport Association’s Quality Mark, one of only three community bus organisations in the country operating under Section 22 of the Transport Act 1985; thereby demonstrating RACB’s high standards of safety and operational management.
32. The Board of Directors/Trustees and Management Committee together have the management and organizational skills necessary to run Risborough Area Community Bus. They are able to draw on expert accountancy services to ensure financial integrity and have demonstrated over the past years the ability to raise funds to meet all expenses whilst building a contingency fund for a future replacement bus.
Annex A to RACB Business Plan
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Dated 1 June 2018
MONDAY – SATURDAY
NO SERVICE ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Service 1. Monks Risborough Not Wednesdays & Saturdays { } High St (George & Dragon) 0930 1030 1215 1330 1430 1530 Aylesbury Rd Mill Lane Kingsmead 0935 1035 1220 1335 1435 1535 Place Farm Way The Parade 0940 1040 1225 1340 1440 1540 Wellington Ave Shortborough Ave Westmead 0945 1045 1230 1345 1445 1545 Wellington Ave Longwick Road Duke St High St (George & Dragon) 0949 1049 1234 1349 1449 1549
Service 2.Trees & Fields Not Wednesdays & Saturdays { } High St (George & Dragon) 0950 1050 1235 1350 1450 1550 New Rd Hill Ash Rd New Rd Hill Oak Rd The Crescent Eastfield Rd 0955 1055 1240 1355 1455 1555 Northfield Rd Southfield Rd Woodfield Rd Crossfield Rd 1000 1100 1245 1400 1500 1600 Berryfield Rd New Rd Duke St High St (George & Dragon) 1004 1104 1249 1404 1504 1604
Service 3. Longwick via Station (Not Wednesdays & Saturdays) { }
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High St (George & Dragon) 1005 1105 1250 1405 1505 - Stratton Rd/Community Centre Manor Park Ave Summerleys Rd (for station) 1010 1110 1300 1410 1510 Chestnut Way Red Lion 1015 1115 1300 1415 1515 - Thame Rd Lay-by Longwick Post Office Red Lion 1020 1120 1305 1420 1520 Chestnut Way Summerleys Rd (for station) 1024 1124 1309 1424 1524 Manor Park Ave Stratton Rd/Community Centre High St (George & Dragon) 1029 1129 1314 1429 1529 -
Service 4. Speen - Tuesdays only (Not pm unless requested)
High St (George & Dragon) 0850 1135 1605 New Road Hill Kop Hill Green Hailey Speen 0900 1145 1620 Studridge Lane King William IV 0905 1150 1625 Pink & Lily, Pink Lane The Whip, Lacey Green 0910 1155 1630 Woodway Upper Icknield Way Shootacre Lane/Picts Lane Summerleys Rd (for station) 0920 1205 1640 Manor Park Ave Stratton Rd/Community Centre High St (George & Dragon) 0925 1210 1645
Service 5. Bledlow & Bledlow Ridge - Wednesdays & Fridays (Not Wednesdays) (not pm unless requested)
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High St (George & Dragon ) 0850 1135 1605 Church St Stratton Rd/Community Centre Summerleys Rd (for station) 0855 1140 1610 B4009 West Lane, Bledlow 0900 1145 1615 Church End Bledlow Church Perry Lane Chinnor Rd The Boot, Bledlow Ridge 0910 1155 1625 Haw Lane A4010 Wycombe Rd 0915 1200 1630 Shootacre Lane/Picts Lane Summerleys Rd (for station) 0925 1210 1640 Manor Park Ave Stratton Rd/Community Centre High St (George & Dragon) 0929 1214 1644
Service 6. The Kimbles - Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays
(not pm unless requested)
High St (G&D) 0850 1135 1605 Westmead/Shortborough Place Farm Way (Parade) Kingsmead 0855 1140 1610 Monks Risborough Stn Three Crowns Askett A4010 0900 0908 1145 Ellesborough Rd Butlers Cross/Russell Arms Terrick B4009/Swan Pub/Bridge St 0915 1200 1630 Askett (Crowbrook Rd) Monks Risborough Stn Place Farm Way (Parade) 0920 1205 1635 Westmead/Shortborough High St (G&D) 0925 1210 1640
Annex B to RACB Business Plan
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Dated 1 June 2018
RISBOROUGH AREA COMMUNITY BUS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mrs P Priestley (Chairman) District and Parish Councillor (Retired)
Mr J M Maultby (Vice Chairman) RAF Officer (Retired)
Mr J G Hughes Company Director
Mr P Johnson RAF Officer (Retired)
Mr P Keen Company Director
Mr M Thomas Local Resident
Mr R Page Headmaster (Retired)
Mr R Barnard Local Resident
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Chairman Mr Johnson
Deputy Chairman Mr Hodgkinson
Secretary Mr Hughes.
Treasurer Mrs Carmichael
Bus maintenance and cleaning Mr Hodgkinson, deputy Mr Hudson
Permits, Timetable & CTA Liaison. Mr Johnson.
Coordination, Sales, Customer Relations Mrs Drewett
Outings Mr Thomas
Driver Recruitment & Driver Training. Mr Stevens
Major fund-raising. Mr Johnson/Mr Hughes/Mr Stevenson
Marketing Mrs Willett/Mr Stevenson/Mr Barnard
Website & Donations Mrs Willett/Mrs Seels . Annex C to RACB Business Plan Dated 1 June 2018
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RISBOROUGH AREA COMMUNITY BUS
PROJECTED INCOME (net of VAT) & EXPENDITURE FOR FY 2018/19
Income:
Item Amount Periodicity Fares cash 700 Regular Outings 2000 Regular Group Use 2000 Regular Donations on bus 4000 Regular Grants 500 Sporadic Donation – Market Traders 500 Annual Interest on deposits 1000 Annual Concession fares reimbursement 18000 Quarterly BSOG 1500 Quarterly Payment from Bucks CC 7500 Monthly
Total: £37700
Expenditure:
Item Amount Periodicity Road Tax 250 Annual Insurances 3100 Annual Fuel 6500 Regular AdBlue 350 Annual CTA subscription 75 Annual Co-ord fees 4800 Monthly Accountants fees 4000 Annual MIDAS 2000 Sporadic Maintenance, servicing, MOT, tyres 3000 Sporadic Admin incl drivers' social 2000 Sporadic Publicity & marketing incl website 2000 Sporadic Replacement vehicle hire 500 Contingency
Total: £28575
Depreciation: £11812
Total: £40387
Balance: - £2787
Annex D to RACB Business Plan Dated 1 June 2018
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RISBOROUGH AREA COMMUNITY BUS
PROJECTED INCOME (net of VAT) & EXPENDITURE FOR FY 2019/20
Income and Expenditure in FY 2019/20 and years up to FY 2021/22 are expected to be similar to that in FY 2018/19, adjusted for inflation.
It is anticipated that a replacement vehicle will be procured in the FY 2021/22 timeframe. It is also anticipated that significant route and timetable changes will be required in a similar timeframe in order to accommodate new transport requirements resulting from housing development in and around Princes Risborough.
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Annex E to RACB Business Plan Dated 1 June 2018
RISBOROUGH AREA COMMUNITY BUS
ORGANISATION
Board of Trustees
Management Committee
Chairman & Drivers Secretary Treasurer Permits, Timetable & CTA Liaison Sales & Customer Relations The Bus & Health & Safety Publicity & Marketing
Coordinator
Drivers