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Worcestershire’s Vehicle Sharing Scheme

ShareLINK Scheme from 1st June 2007

The opportunity for your community group or organisation to hire passenger carrying vehicles, either with a driver or self-drive

What is ShareLINK?

ShareLINK:

  • offers groups, organisations and all sectors of Worcestershire County Council affordable group transport (self-drive or driver provision) via a non-profit making service, encouraging social inclusion and giving smaller groups access to transport, without ownership responsibilities.
  • co-ordinates the sharing of mini-buses owned by the County Council with non-profit making organisations and community groups, to maximize existing resources and offer benefits to the community.
  • offers wheelchair accessible mini-bus, coach and bus services along with suitably qualified County Council drivers at hourly rates and full day rates.



Who can benefit from ShareLINK?

ShareLINK is available to all non-profit making bodies/organisations holding ‘Section 19’ permits concerned with:

  • Education
  • Religion
  • Social Welfare
  • Recreation (Mini-buses with a passenger capacity of 9-16 only)
  • Other activities of benefit to the community and all sectors of the County Council for appropriate corporate use.



A Section 19 Permit

Section 19 permits allow certain organisations to use a passenger vehicle for hire and reward without an Operators Licence and a mini-bus for hire and reward without a pcv-licenced driver. These services must not be open to the general public and any charges levied must not make a profit. The definition of “charge” includes any payments in cash or kind giving a right to carriage, for example, fares or club subscriptions.

Where can I get a Section 19 from?

Section 19 permits are obtainable from the ShareLINK team at cost on behalf of the Department of Transport.

For further clarification of the above, please contact the ShareLINK team.



Vehicle Hire (including a driver)

Costs (VAT exempt)

Mini-bus (with driver)  
Per hour £15.00Plus £0.14 per kilometreAvailability 1100hrs to 1430hrs, Monday to Friday only
Per day £112.50Plus £0.14 per kilometreAvailability Monday to Saturday only
Sunday only £187.50Plus £0.14 per kilometre 
   
Bus (with driver)  
Per hour £21.50Plus £0.25 per kilometreAvailability 1100hrs to 1430hrs, Monday to Friday only.  Full hire available during school holidays only.

Please note:

  • Kilometres are charged from and to the vehicle base, and that this charge is based on the variable national average fuel price.
  • Day rates quoted at 8 hours 30 minutes inclusive of 1 hour driver rest break.
  • Additional hours, parking, tolls or overnight driver accommodation requirement will incur additional charges.
  • Damage will be recharged at cost.



Self-drive Hire

Costs (plus VAT at current rate)

Mini-bus only (Mon - Fri)

Per day £36.00Availability Available for use seven days a week.  Vehicle issue and receipt Monday to Friday only.

Mini-bus only (Sat & Sun)

Sat & Sun             £54.00Availability Available for use at the weekend only.  Vehicle issue and receipt Monday to Friday only.  Sunday drop-off available, however vehicle remains customer's reponsibility overnight until Monday morning receipt.

Please note:

  • Damage will be recharged at cost
  • Valeting charges will be raised where appropriate
  • Refuelling surcharges will be applied where appropriate


Insurance

Under normal circumstances the self-drive vehicle will be provided without insurance. However, the structure of your body/organisation on some occasions may facilitate vehicle insurance via the County Council. It is therefore advisable to check well in advance of your need as to whether vehicle insurance can be provided.


Driver Requirements for Self-drive hire

To meet the regulatory requirements, the following procedures and best practice policies will be applicable to the ShareLINK scheme:

Drivers provided by the Section 19 Permit Holders will be required:

  • To possess a driver’s licence with a D1 entitlement (not for hire &reward) obtained before 1st January 1997 OR
  • To possess a driver’s licence with a full D1 or D entitlement obtained after 1st January 1997
  • To possess a D1 + E entitlement if a trailer is to be towed (The driver must be conversant with the use of Tachographs and EU Drivers Hours Regulation compliance).
  • To be a minimum of 21 years of age.
  • To possess a current Worcestershire County Council Minibus permit and if applicable a Minibus and Trailer permit.
  • To possess a current Worcestershire County Council Wheelchair Securing and Passenger Safety Authorisation (if transporting wheelchair bound passengers).
  • To complete competently and comprehensively statutory vehicle and corporate documentation, including:
    • A Daily Record/Vehicle Check/Defect Notification
    • A Vehicle Record Book (Motor Vehicle Log Sheets)
    • A Tachograph disc (if towing a trailer)
  • To complete a vehicle condition report in conjunction with the vehicle lender issuing or receiving the allocated vehicle.



Types of vehicle available to hire

ShareLINK minibus ShareLINK minibus
14 seated passenger capacity minimum 14 seated passenger capacity minimum
Sharelink minibus (1) Sharelink minibus (2)
   
ShareLINK bus  
29 seated passenger capacity minimum  
Sharelink bus  
(Vehicle type subject to change)  

Please note: All the above vehicles will have a reduced seated passenger capacity when accommodating wheelchair passengers


Who would contact ShareLINK?

Leaders or members of community groups/voluntary organisations across the County or County Council departments, who would like the opportunity to benefit from hiring a vehicle.



Contact us today:

Call 01905 768462 / 768432

or

email sharelink@worcestershire.gov.uk.


The ShareLINK scheme is operated by

Worcestershire County Council
Passenger Transport Group (ShareLINK)
PO Box 82
Pershore Lane
Worcester

WR4 0AA


Terms and conditions

  • Full terms and conditions available on request
  • ShareLINK reserve the right to add or withdraw services at any time.
  • ShareLINK is a non-profit making scheme and is therefore unable to accept any consequential losses
  • Rates are normally reviewed/adjusted annually, however ShareLINK reserve the right to change charges as necessary to cover incurred costs.
  • All bookings are subject to availability, and prices will be confirmed at time of booking.




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