Frequently Asked Questions

1. that DfT should undertake a comprehensive review of the regulation of and sustainability of the CT sector as the regulations which are 40 years old need review. However, this should be done broadly, so that any changes are designed to achieve improvements in social value, safety, capacity and quality, not the current perverse impact;
2. that until this review is complete, the DfT should make it clear publicly that it will not support any actions which disturb the settled licensing arrangements for the CT sector.
3. that until it has concluded its consultation exercise the DfT should not ask DVSA to change its approach to CT enforcement as the law and its interpretation require proper clarification.

We estimate that at least 1,000 CT operators will be affected operating, between them, some 6,000 minibuses and delivering some 40 million passenger trips a year. The community benefits from the input of 25,000 volunteer drivers, some driving regularly and some occasionally, but between them donating at least 10 million hours of their time every year. To read our response to the TSC inquiry please click here.

It is true that some CT operators already have PSV ‘O’ licences and could accommodate the changes more readily. It is also true that some CT operators will need to obtain PSV O licences. However, the UK CT sector is a ‘grass routes’ network that encompasses big operators  through to very small village car schemes. Each respond to a different need in the community in its own way. The vast majority of CT operators would not be able to convert to a full PSV operation. Therefore, the whole complexion of CT would drastically change, and the needs of many thousands of people would not be fulfilled. The inevitable result, even for those who can make the changes, would be a catastrophic reduction in the scale and scope of operations.

In simple terms, operators must satisfy 3 criteria of repute, financial standing and professional competence. It is anticipated that all CT operators will satisfy repute (fitness to hold a licence). Financial standing means that operators have to show they have £7,850 immediately available reserves for the first vehicle and £4,350 for subsequent ones. Professional competence means that operators have to employ a transport manager who has a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).In addition, drivers must hold a full D or unrestricted D1 category licence. This will lead to significant costs. The registration and training costs for each driver is estimated at £1,500, amounting to £37.5m for the sector as a whole, if all current volunteers and staff are to obtain the licence referred to above. This is neither affordable nor necessary and local authorities have already made it clear that there are no funds available to meet these extra costs.

We need to contact supporters and develop methods of communication – this website, social media etc. Please let us know by email if you wish to join us. We are currently formulating a range of activities and actions that you can assist us with – we will provide more details of these as they emerge. We also need financial support – there are various means of making donations to this campaign Learn More.

We have established an independent Trust bank account to hold all moneys and allow for independent scrutiny and audit. None of the proposed activities of the campaign are outside normal charitable objectives (lobbying for a review or a change in legislation that affects your beneficiaries is a legitimate charitable purpose) which means that the full range of groups and individuals can contribute.

Mobility Matters is engaging with DfT to try to resolve this issue.