Plan My Project - Case Studies

BACT Volunteer Driver Scheme

The Battle Volunteer Car Scheme was a pilot project delivered by Battle Area Community Transport Ltd. (BACT) which runs the Community Bus Service.

It improved the availability and flexibility of essential rural transport for the socially excluded, especially the elderly, who could not access public transport. Volunteer drivers with their own cars provide lifts to disadvantaged people in 20 rural parishes in the Battle area of East Sussex.

Volunteer drivers were reimbursed expenses relating to car use but gave their time free; customers contributed to the service at a subsidised rate. Transport was provided for medical and clinical appointments, including hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dentists, opticians, day care visits and any other essential health needs.

The project was good value for money in so much that it depended upon the time of volunteer drivers which was given free of charge. A customer survey carried out on completion indicated that passenger contributions could have been higher which would have improved value for money further.

The administrator and manager of the community bus scheme were also actively involved in the volunteer driver initiative. There was continuity throughout the project. The administrative systems were excellent.

The main risks - under use by the target group and failure to attract volunteer drivers - were identified at the outset and a marketing plan put in place at the beginning to assist recruitment. The majority of targets were met or exceeded:

16 Communities Served (Target 10)
18 Drivers Recruited (Target 12)
Volunteer drivers recruited exceeded the target but there was a continuing need to recruit due to some volunteers leaving the scheme.
Network of drivers created but scope to improve geographical distribution
£31,405 Volunteer contribution (Target £18,000)
1311 passenger journeys (Target 1300)
23,000 passenger miles (Target 26,000)
£9,998 Passenger contribution (Target £15750)

The level of passenger contribution was not set in such a way as to make sustainability possible. As a result, the total income from passenger contributions was well below the target level, due mainly to under-pricing of the journeys. The uptake for the service was high and a customer satisfaction survey found a very high level of appreciation from direct beneficiaries and their carers. The immediate impact of quality of life was considerable.

Unfortunately the scheme did not continue after the pilot so the lasting impact was not achieved.

There is evidence that passengers would have paid considerably more for the car service and this would have made the project more self financing. However, the project was, in the end, unsustainable due to the cost of the full time administrator and the inability to raise this from alternative sources.

The dependence upon raising public funds to employ the administrator was always a high risk strategy and the risk of having to discontinue the service was not really dealt with in terms of managing the expectations of the beneficiaries who were very disappointed and upset when the service finally ceased.

To see the full evaluation report for this project click here.

To email the project manager click here.

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