Community Transport (Brighton, Hove & Area) Ltd provides accessible, safe and affordable transport to community groups, voluntary sector organisations and individuals with mobility difficulties. Most of our operations are in the Brighton and Hove area. Our buses are fully accessible for wheelchair users and have passenger lifts or ramps fitted.
All our drivers are fully trained to assist older people and passengers with disabilities, particularly those who find it very difficult or impossible to use conventional public transport. We have been providing transport services to the local community for over 20 years. We have been an independent organisation since 1992, and operate as a not-for-profit Industrial & Provident Society.
The overall responsibility of the organisation rests with the Management Committee, which is elected annually at our AGM.
The General Manager oversees the day-to-day running of the organisation and reports to the management committee trustees. We employ 35 people (4 office staff and 31 part-time drivers and passenger assistants).
We are part of the Community Transport Association.
Community Transport (Brighton Hove and Area) Ltd
Mission Statement
Community Transport aims:
- to promote Social Inclusion and Accessibility in all areas of the local Community
- to deliver high quality Transport Services in a way that upholds Equality and Diversity
- to involve users in shaping the way our services are provided.
The Management Committee
Our Management Committee is made up from representatives of a variety of organisations with an interest in the well-being of older people and disabled people, including groups who are users of our services. If you would be interested in joining our committee please do contact us. The Management Committee meets every 4-6 weeks.
Annual Report
CT Annual Report 2021
Our Fleet
Community Transport (Brighton, Hove & Area) Ltd has a fleet of 18 minibuses, most of them are wheelchair accessible and can seat up to 16 people.
All our minibuses have heating and air conditioning.
Most of them are fitted with passenger lifts or ramps. They have removable seats to allow for the transportation of wheelchair users. Some of the fleet are wide body vehicles providing more space within the minibus.
Our minibuses are equipped with first aid kits, fire extinguishers and 4 point wheelchair webbing restraints to safely secure wheelchairs inside the minibus.
All vehicles are covered by a Breakdown Organisation.
Policy for the safe transport of children and wheelchair users
Community Transport (Brighton, Hove & Area) Ltd is committed to providing safe travel. To ensure the safety of passengers we have introduced a policy for the safe transport of children and wheelchair users:
CHILDREN & SEAT BELTS New regulations came into effect on 18 September 2006, governing the use of seat belts, child restraints and baby seats by children travelling in cars, vans and goods vehicles. The effect of the new regulations is that, in almost all cases where a child is travelling in a car, van or goods vehicle, every child up to 135cms (4' 5") or the age of 12 (whichever is reached first) must use a child restraint and drivers may not carry children as passengers just in seat belts. The regulations do not, however, require children travelling in a minibus to use a child seat or booster seat. All passengers in a minibus (up to 2.54 tonnes unladen weight) have been required to use seat belts for some years. A child required to use a child seat or booster in a car must do so in a minibus only if a suitable one is available. A typical car child seat is not suitable for a typical minibus seat - which is narrower and less deep. A seat is not available if it is not suitable. As a general rule, therefore, the children will use the seat belts provided, which are typically adjustable. The operator is not required to provide suitable child seats. The new rules do not yet apply in respect of children travelling in bigger coaches and buses, but they will be the same eventually as they are for minibuses. Some of the minibuses operated by Community Transport (Brighton, Hove & Area) Ltd are larger than 2.54 tonnes unladen weight and are therefore not covered by the 2006 regulations. Passengers in all minibuses/buses/coaches where seat belts are fitted must be notified that seat belt wearing is required by law. The small blue pictograms that are displayed on the windows of Community Transport’s vehicles are deemed to be sufficient notification of this requirement. All seats on our vehicles are fitted with adjustable seat belts. Our drivers and escorts are trained to adjust seat belts to meet the needs of individual passengers, including children. Where children travel on a regular basis on Community Transport’s minibuses, arrangements can be made to ensure that an appropriate child seat is made available for individual children. This particularly applies to the daily home-to-school transport services that we provide. The responsibility for making these arrangements does not, however, lie with Community Transport. We will, however, work closely with parents, carers, schools and the local authority to ensure that the safest possible arrangements are made. Contact should be made with the Community Transport office, on 01273 677559. The advice of the Department for Transport is that a baby or child should never be carried in the arms or on the lap of an adult passenger. An unrestrained child will be in serious danger if the vehicle stops suddenly or is in a crash. Our vehicles are wheelchair accessible and our staff are trained to fit and use the restraint systems that have been designed to ensure the safe carriage of passengers in wheelchairs. However, these systems are not appropriate for use with prams or children’s folding pushchairs. Further Information The Department for Transport has published a leaflet explaining the 2006 regulations relating to children travelling in cars, vans and goods vehicles:- Child Car Seats: The New Law (Product Code T/INF/1101) Information is also available on the Department for Transport website:- www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/childcarseats/childcarseats.htm
Brighton & Hove Community Transporte 