Community minibus

Council's community buses are available for use by local non for profit organisations and community groups to support activities and programs that directly benefit residents of Moreland.

The buses are allocated to eligible incorporated organisations according to the needs of priority groups, including frail older people, people with a disability, people from a culturally and linguistic diverse communities and young people.

Vehicles

There are two community buses available one bus includes a wheelchair hoist.

Eligibility

Community buses are available for use by non-profit organisations operating in Moreland:

• drivers must not hold probationary licenses and must be 21 years of age or over.
• buses will not be hired to groups who fail to strictly adhere to the community bus guidelines.
• buses will only be hired to incorporated not-for-profit organisations who hold their own public liability insurance policy.
• buses will not be hired to individuals for personal use.
• buses must be only used within the Melbourne Metro area.
• the group is responsible for hire and fuel costs, whereby the bus must be returned to Council with a full tank of fuel and cleaned after use.
• the group must be a Registered Operator with Bus Safety Victoria and supply a copy of the registration certificate to Council prior to use.

Council reserves the right to refuse any group that does not meet or adhere to the Guidelines and/or Conditions of Use.

Bus Safety

The Bus Safety Act (2009) requires that all operators of a bus service that use buses with seating positions for 10 or more adults (including the driver) be either accredited or registered to provide that bus service.

The following types of bus operators must be registered to provide a bus service:

Operators that only use buses with 10 – 12 seats ( including the driver)

Operators of a bus service that is not a commercial bus service or a local bus service. This includes:

• Community and private service
• Non commercial courtesy bus service, and
• Hire and drive bus services.

Council is committed to ensuring the safety of the community and in response to changes in the bus safety act, all user groups of Council’s community busses must be Registered Operators with Transport Safety Victoria to access Councils community buses. Information provided by Transport Safety Victoria can be found at Transport Safety.

Please contact Transport Safety Victoria on 03 9655 6545 or email Info at Transport Safety to commence the registration process. Once registered, you must provide a copy of the registration to Council for our records. Council requires all community groups to be Registered Operators with Transport Safety Victoria

Priority

Priority shall be given to special needs and disadvantaged groups in Moreland, such as people with disabilities, youth groups, isolated people and people from a non-English speaking background.

Council will not provide bus hire to:

• social and recreational activities for private parties and individuals
• activities for people who live outside Moreland, and 
• activities which occur outside of the Melbourne metro area (approx 100km radius)
• groups which have previously breached the terms and conditions of use.

Availability

Community buses are available for use, subject to availability on a daily basis.

Buses must be returned to Council each day at a time agreed by the booking officer.

Fees and charges (GST inclusive

The hire fee is charged to cover some of the costs incurred:

• up to four hours: $32.00
• up to eight hours: $52 or
• a full day more than eight hours: $75
• No discounts will be given for hire charges.
• Further charges may apply if: bus is returned dirty, bus is returned with-out fuel, late cancellation or no-show.

Bookings

• Bookings can be made by phone up to three months in advance.
• Council will then send out an application form and guidelines.
• The driver nominated by the group fills in the application to use the bus and supplies a copy of their drivers licence (front and back).
• At least five working days before your bus booking, post or bring the application form and a copy of the driver's (and co-driver if relevant) drivers licence to Council. If you don't do this, Council cancels your booking. 
• The group must be a Registered Operator with Bus Safety Victoria and supply a copy of the registration certificate to Council prior to use.
• Contact Councils Youth and Leisure branch on 9240 2301 or email Youth and Leisure to obtain an application form and check availability or eligibility for your group.