Minibus Appeal

Our minibus is a valuable asset

Drivers Needed

We’ve been operating the minibus service for Brakes supporters and away fans since 2012 and acquired the current minibus nearly 10 years ago in 2016. Quite obviously, without volunteer drivers the minibus goes nowhere!

Because we operate with a ‘Section 19’ permit, our volunteer drivers do not have to have the minibus category (D) on their licence – a manual car licence (B) is allowed, see brakestrust.com/drivers for the full details.

We are discussing with the club to get similar concessions to those of club volunteers for our volunteer drivers. Ideally all clubs should offer free or reduced entrance to volunteer drivers both home and away – after all they could get an extra dozen or so on the gate!

So, if you want a front seat and to help fellow supporters get to away games and mid-week home games, please see any Trust board member at the next game or contact us via brakestrust.com/contact.

Our minibus offers a great advertising opportunity.

Sponsors Needed

Whilst we endeavour to operate the minibus as a going concern and price the seats accordingly, we also aim the keep the cost to supporters affordable.

The minibus has considerable overhead and running costs – as well as fuel these include insurance, maintenance and trying to maintain a contingency fund.

We have been fortunate to have had some sponsorship in the past as well as some grant funding from the Co-op’s ‘Doing Good Together Fund’ and generous individual donations.

However the recent and welcome introduction of the club’s shuttle service has certainly had a considerable impact on our income with the loss of our regular home runs on Saturdays. Also the lack available volunteers drivers for some away games, especially mid-week, has meant that the minibus is earning less and forcing up the seat cost of trips that do run.

So, if you think you could help, or know someone else or a business who might, please see any Trust board member at the next game or contact us via brakestrust.com/contact.

Our minibus is available to hire by community groups

Hire by associated or local groups

While our permit and insurance prohibit use for ‘Hire or Reward’ the minibus is available at cost for groups associated with the Trust or Leamington FC and, with certain conditions, other local groups. This is a valuable income when the minibus is otherwise idle.

In fact some of you might remember when we’ve got the club out of a few sticky situations when the team bus broke down or the shuttle buses weren’t running. We also helped a local Scouts group to go on their DofE trip when their hired minibus was double booked.

So get in touch if you know of a group who might be interested – there’s more info at brakestrust.com/minibus-available-to-hire-for-associated-groups.

Thanks

And finally a big thank you to all fans who have used and supported our minibus service – let’s keep it on the road.