Contracts

Why Does wmsnt Operate Contracts?

After the incorporation of the Ring and Ride service in 1983, it was realised that the demand for such a service would become far greater than the annual funding would provide for. In its endeavour to seek ways of satisfying this additional demand, wmsnt looked at its own knowledge and expertise. Early in the 90's, the South Birmingham Depot obtained a small number of Home to School routes from Birmingham Education Department. These were for the transportation of Special Needs Children who were unable to travel on normal Public Transport.

The operation of these routes was on a 'not for profit' basis, any revenue received helping to absorb a portion of the Depot's Ring and Ride overheads. This, in turn, helped to lower the Company's operating costs. Other than directly providing such additional funds, it also allowed for additional Vehicles and Drivers to be available, when not on Home to School routes, to provide extra Ring and Ride trips, at marginal cost.

Expanding the Service

This small start proved so successful that, in 1998, a decision was taken to expand the operation and actively seek similar work from all Local Education Authorities throughout the West Midlands. By providing a reliable, quality based service, a Contracts Division has grown, such that wmsnt now operates over 140 vehicles daily on contract work.

Homes to School routes are operated for Birmingham, Solihull, Staffordshire and Wolverhampton Local Education services. In addition, 'Taxibus' and NHS Non Emergency Patient Transport contracts also run daily. During 2002, wmsnt became the first Contractor to be awarded a single contract for the provision of all the transport for one Special Needs School. Wilson Stuart School, in North Birmingham was supplied with over twenty new minibuses, all in a single colour and sporting the School's own logo.

What Impact Has This Had on the Purchaser?

The operation and planning of this contract, by dedicated wmsnt Staff, not only released valuable teaching hours (that would otherwise have been required to plan routes and trips etc.) but also proved so successful that it was cited, by the Department of Education and Skills, as the 'Best Practice' for all such operations throughout the UK.

Our dedicated Staff plan and manage the routes, organise trips, deal with School Staff, Pupils, Parents, Escorts and the local LEA. All routes are organised with full regard of the welfare and special needs of the Pupils, ensuring that they are transported to and from School, as safely and with as little delay, as possible. This 'Best Practice' recommendation played a large part in helping wmsnt with further tender bids.

Operational Development

Between 2003 and 2006, our Contracts Division was successful in obtaining two further 'single school' contracts, Victoria (31 vehicles in the South Birmingham) and Calthorpe (46 vehicles in Central Birmingham), both on five year contracts. To date, wmsnt remain the only such 'Solus School' Contractor to Birmingham LEA.

Other individual School route contracts have also been retained and new ones obtained within this period.

All of these contracts have provided valuable resources and revenue to aid Ring and Ride provide the current service levels. Close to one tenth of all Ring and Ride trips take place on Contracts buses, and our Contracts Division is still actively seeking additional contracts from all sectors.

What wmsnt Cannot Do

Although, our Contracts Division is always willing to provide advice and assistance to any interested parties, they can only provide contracted services for people who find it difficult or impossible to use conventional public transport. wmsnt does not operate any commercial private hire services.

To enquire about how the Charity's Contract Services division can help your Local Authority, School, Health Centre or Club, simply telephone the Contracts Manager at:

Telephone 0121 446 6172
Fax: 0121 446 4018
Email: contracts@wmsnt.org