Please help this feasibility project.
About Bus Trips Out : There is no such organisation . . .
BUT, could there be a new Warwickshire Community Transport Service?
UPDATED 9th February 2026
Might it be possible to replace the Back&4th / Backand4th service run by WRCC?
Bus Trips Out is about Warwickshire Community Transport. This Bus Trips Out website was created quickly and cheaply by one person on 8/1/26 as being a way to communicate with people interested in the possibility of re-creating some form of volunteer driven, 16-Seater Community Minibus Service in Warwickshire. The name 'BusTripsOut' was available so it's a working title only - there is no organisation behind it, just a gmail address.
Nothing might come of this BUT . . .
# It is vital to gather a list of who used buses previously and might do again so please make contact URGENTLY via the form on the contact page. We need contact details of possible users please.
# 15 of the original drivers have made contact and are willing to drive.
# Much work has been done behind the scenes. It could start quickly BUT TRUSTEES ARE NEEDED.
In the meantime, please make contact and if you are an organisation please think what bus hire you could book up because it is possible that things could start as early as March. Prices would have to go up and several ex-users have closed or lost grant funding. PLEASE MAKE CONTACT. We only have days to decide whether to buy an ex WRCC bus or not.
USE IT OR LOSE IT.
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Also, spread the word about this website:
# To old or new bus user organisations.
# To people who were not involved but might be open to helping in some way.
What Community minded people do you know? Want something done? . . . ask a busy person!
A group of 5 or 6 are needed to manage it going forward. Much spade work has been done and a few are happy to help so far but 1 or 2 more are essential as a Trustee and to do some admin from home liaising with users.
This website will be updated as information is gained so please come back often.
My name is Andrew Emm. Lets get a new Warwickshire Community Transport Service off the ground ASAP. I was a volunteer driver for 3 years and live in Leamington. I am happy to share my mobile number with anyone once contact has been made.
What is known and key issues
Buses
We have the option to buy BW66HEJ which WRCC used and maintained and its history is known. It's not new (but neither are its drivers) but it can be got for £7800 and is good for several year's driving yet.
A site is needed URGENTLY
Due to development plans at Wellesbourne and the parking costs being asked, the buses need a new home.
I have 2 short term offers for while the buses would be off the road.
What is needed is a site for longer term with a shed to store seats etc in and access to a toilet. ANY IDEAS??
A possible new service is bound to have to be different from before and could be based nearer Stratford, Leamington or Warwick but should hopefully continue to have the great impact it makes on so many lives, particularly wheelchair users.
It looks unlikely that there would be money to pay employees, volunteers are likely to be needed instead for some admin working which would be from home. There may be more travel required to where the buses are stored. It is unlikely to be somewhere cosy.
Revenue
The charges will need to increase. It must be assumed that revenue will be less than before but some costs will be higher (eg new insurance with no NCD).
If you are a user organisation then please tell your users that the previous £60 per day and 60p per mile was not sustainable.
Undecided yet but likely that £85/day and 50p/mile will be the rates.
This is still less than a third the commercial cost.
Please digest that thought but don't be put off making contact.
Admin and Operations Staff
I have tried to glean what information I can and run some rough numbers and struggle to see how at least for 6 months there might be surplus to pay any employees. Many such services are wholly volunteer run.
PLEASE CONSIDER IF THERE ARE PEOPLE YOU KNOW WHO MIGHT DO SOME BACKROOM WORK FROM HOME. Spouses, ex-drivers, people from some user groups???
So far . . .
So far 2 ex employees have been generous enough to share their experience and thoughts (without disclosing personal data), I have spoken to the manager at the liquidators and have an insurance quotation. I understand something of the process of registering with the Community Transport Association and also am familiar with what would be needed to apply to the Charity Commission to set up a CIO Registered Charity. This protects Trustees from personal liabilities (unless reckless, fraudulent etc).
Might you or an organisation you know (charity or business) be able to pledge £500 or £1000 or maybe £5000 to get this off the ground? Please email me and we could chat.
Trustees needed up front if new charity has to be created.
To do all this and to open a bank account would however need a group of say 5 or 6 to be happy to act as Trustees as regulations require that a firm foundation is set. PEOPLE WILLING TO ACT AS TRUSTEES ARE THEREFORE CRUCIAL PLEASE. Help from all is welcome - I'm not looking to lead this thing.
If you can't help yourself, who do you know, that is community minded.
Happy to chat about this without obligation.
Trustees and money could make this happen fast . . .
Who might chip-in something to launch this and cover a few months costs?
Formal grant processes are too slow for this to regain previous users ASAP.
Please email me for an informal chat.
Interest-free loans have been kindly offered but need paying back in time. Donations of a few thousand would give us a strong start. It is planned that it would break even in its first year but it would still need to pay off the bus cost and build up 2 or 3 month's of reserves.
Thank you for reading so far. Please make contact.
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