New Partnership with Sandwell MBC

September 2009 saw the launch of a new venture with Sandwell Education Transport Department (Sandwell ETD) where wmsnt will be operating 11 Minibuses as part of a home to school, long term contract, for 3 schools for children with specific educational needs.

The vehicles will be new Ford Transits, built to Sandwell ETD‘s required specification. The contract will be operated from our Wednesbury site from where Dudley and Sandwell Ring and Ride services also operate.

This contract will also help the local job market and 24 new drivers and escorts have been recruited locally. They completed their induction training during July 2009.

In addition, some of wmsnt's experienced Education drivers (who have worked on Home to School routes for both Birmingham and Wolverhampton Education Departments) will be transferring to this contract. It is expected that their knowledge will be invaluable in assisting the new recruits to understand, the issues of about transporting pupils with special needs.

This contract is, however, not just about Home to School. It is envisaged that the additional resources, in both staff and vehicles, will be used in the interests of Sandwell and the local Community. The vehicles will be available between the AM and PM school runs, and at other times, for local organisations, for people with special needs and to support Ring and Ride in the Sandwell area.

This is the first such venture for Sandwell MBC. and it is hoped that it will be the start of a long term working relationship between the Council and wmsnt to provide both statutory transport services but also to help other groups and individuals with mobility problems by using vehicles and staff more effectively.