Accessible Minibuses for Hire.
Currently we have 6 wheelchair accessible 15 to 17 seat minibuses and three smaller 6 to 9 seat accessible vehicles available for hire by community or ‘not for profit’ groups. Only 3 vehicles are not classed as accessible. All accessible minibuses have passenger lifts, steps or ramps to enable ease of access inside and are maintained in accordance with current legislation and the West of Scotland Community Transport Network quality framework.
The number of seats available include the two front passenger seats and driver seat in the front of the vehicle.
SACT1 – Ford Transit – 16 seats + driver.
The workhorse of our fleet, affectionately known as “Scud” is one of three non wheelchair accessible vehicles we have. Acquired from a partner community group it is suitable for the more mobile community users. Very popular with school and sports groups, its sixteen seats are kept warm through the week on a variety of trips. It also has a tow bar if you have a trailer to use. Requires D1 on license to drive.
Cost: £36 + £0.95 per mile (first 20 miles free) + optional driver £14.00 per hour
SACT2 and SACT8 – Ford Tourneo – 8 seats + driver (6+w/c+driver)
“Zulu” and “Joy” arrived in 2017 offering a flexible alternative for smaller groups. A wheelchair ramp with winch allows any wheelchair user to join in with the other passengers whilst being carried securely. These roomy MPV’s are perfect for small group outings. SACT2 is available in the Kyle area and SACT8 in the North Carrick and rural areas.
Cost: £36 (incl VAT) + £0.95 per mile +VAT (first 20 miles free) + optional driver £13.00 per hour (+VAT)
SACT3 – VW Crafter – 14 seats + driver (1-5 wheelchairs by arrangement) .
Acquired by our merger with a partner community transport group. Comfortably seating 14 (see table for wheelchair numbers and passengers seats available) this has a rear passenger lift to access the interior and a sliding door to the rest of the cabin. Easy step access and plenty of handrails make these the vehicle of choice for many groups. Day units, church groups, stroke club members and our Out & About Club, among others, all use this in the week for hassle free transportation. Requires D1 on license to drive.
Cost: £36 + £0.95 per mile (first 20 miles free) + optional driver £14.00 per hour
SACT4 – VW Crafter – 14 seats + driver
This VW crafter similar to SACT3 is no longer accessible by wheelchairs, though walkers and frames still have access from the side door. The lift has been removed permanently.
Requires a D1 to drive.
Cost: £36 + £0.95 per mile (first 20 miles free) + optional driver £14.00 per hour
SACT5 – Mercedes Sprinter Low Floor bus – 16 seats, (only 13 seatbelts) + driver (12+w/c+driver)
“Rikky” has been retired from our Girvan to Barr scheduled (CB8) service and is now available for hire in the Ayr & Carrick areas. This has an automatic gear box and requires a D1 to drive. Destination boards are available to advertise your event (prior notice required). Ideal for events where multiple pick up and drop off points are used.
Cost: £36 + £0.95 per mile (first 20 miles free) + optional driver £14.00 per hour
SACT6 – Peugeot Boxer – 16 seats + driver (12 +1 w/c+ driver)
“Sheepy” is based in Girvan, serving the South Carrick and rural communities. With one wheelchair you can safely seat twelve passengers. Access for wheelchairs or passengers is via the rear passenger lift in a seamless transition. The sliding door gains entry to the rest of the cabin. Great for school groups, sheltered housing units, care homes and voluntary groups.
Cost: £36 + £0.95 per mile (first 20 miles free) + optional driver £14.00 per hour
SACT7 – VW Vista – 4 seats +w/c +driver
Katie G is a member of the team of MPV’s. Slightly smaller than the the Tourneo’s she has a permanent wheelchair space and five permanent seats. Great for family sized groups. Sheltered housing units and residential homes offer this as an added service to relatives wishing to take their residents on day trips. Currently Katie is used as the R700 MyBus service around South Carrick in the Girvan area, Monday to Saturday. It is available to hire on Sundays and every evening after 18.30.
Cost: £35 + £0.85 per mile (first 20 miles free) + optional driver £13.00 per hour (+VAT)
SACT9 & SACT10 – Citroen Relay Flexilite – 16 passenger seats + driver ( 12 + 1 w/c, 8 + 2 w/c + driver)
One based in Maybole and one in the Ayr area they are lightweight vehicles that can be driven on a car licence by arrangement. They have 16 passenger seats with an easy climb door step and are fitted with an under-floor passenger lift at the rear. Both can take 1 or 2 wheelchair passengers with reduced seating.
Cost: £36 + £0.95 per mile (first 20 miles free) + optional driver £14.00 per hour
SACT11 – Fiat eDucato – 16 passenger seats + driver
SACT11 – Fully Electric Minibus
A new addition to the fleet is Jarvie a 100% all electric 16 seat minibus. Currently used for school contracts, it can be hired through the day for shorter runs and it’s 90 mile range gives it good local use for schools and shopping trips. It’s a lightweight vehicle that can under certain conditions be driven on a car licence.
Cost: £36 + £0.95 per mile (first 20 miles free) + optional driver £14.00 per hour
SACT12 – Mercedes Sprinter Low floor bus – 16 passenger seats (1 wheelchair plus 14 passengers) + driver
Brand new to the fleet is Roxy, the SPT funded replacement bus for the CB8 service. It is also available to hire on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. On CB8 service days it can only be hired after 6.30pm. This has an automatic gear box and requires a D1 to drive. Destination boards are available to advertise your event (prior notice required). Ideal for events where multiple pick up and drop off points are used.
Cost: £36 + £0.95 per mile (first 20 miles free) + optional driver £14.00 per hour
SACT13 – Ford Transit 16 passenger seats – NO accessible options
Brand new to us (Mar23) this extra long wheelbase transit is ideal for school and community groups that do not require accessible options. Comfortable seats, cup holders and a luggage rack make it perfect for longer trips too.
Cost: £36 + £0.95 per mile (first 20 miles free) + optional driver £14.00 per hour
Please Note:
- The transport laws we adhere to mean that we can not hire minibuses to individuals or to “for-profit” companies. Hires must be made by not for profit or voluntary organisations that have membership with us. Membership is now free. Forms are available here.
- As of 1st August 2018, SACT became VAT registered. The laws on hires are complicated to an extent, but please bear these basic points in mind:
- A minibus seating 9 or more passengers will not attract VAT if one of our SACT paid or volunteer drivers is being used.
- If you use your own driver that is not registered with us via the preferred volunteer driver scheme (in which they become a SACT volunteer) the hire and any additional mileage costs will attract VAT.
- All MPV hires will attract VAT regardless of who is driving the MPV.