Transport Requirements
Download Club/society Transport Requirements
General Guidelines
These initial guidelines apply to any vehicle used in connection with a CUSU activity. They concern passengers, drivers, activity organisers and Club/Society officials.All seats must be forward facing and installed by the manufacturer. Temporary or makeshift seats must not be used for transporting passengers.
The vehicle must not be overloaded. The number of passengers allowed will be stated on the policy document. Alternatively the maximum weight allowed will be shown on the vehicles specification plate. Activity organisers must plan their transport within these constraints.
All drivers and vehicles used in association with CUSU activities must be registered and approved by CUSU.
The activity organiser (Club Captain, Society Chairperson, Trip Organiser, Activity Leader or other delegated Club/Society Member) will ensure that all individuals travelling in vehicles are aware of the following legal requirements:
- They are required by law to wear seat belts if fitted.
- Alcohol must not be consumed in the vehicle.
- They must not distract the driver's attention when the vehicle is in motion.
For any single journey over 2 hours in duration or 150 miles in distance, whichever is greater it is advisable to have 2 approved minibus drivers in the party? This is to allow adequate rest for the driver and a replacement if one driver became incapacitated for any reason, for example an injury sustained during the Club/Society activity.
Prior to Trip departure the driver must complete the Driver Checklist section of the Trip & Transport Booking Form. This is so a full check can be made on the vehicle, making note and record of any damage to the vehicle on the diagrams provided. Failure to do this may result in your Club/Society being liable for the excess of any damage found by the short-term Hire Company or CUSU Transport Co-ordinator. This also includes fuel levels.
CUSU Minibus & Multi Passenger Vehicle (MPV) must have a FULL tank of fuel prior to departure and upon return.
All other vehicles are used on a short-term hire basis; therefore, drivers must return the vehicle with the fuel level as they found it (Usually Full)
Note:Failure to do so will result in your Club/Society being fined.
CLUBS & SOCIETIES TRANSPORT GUIDELINES
These guidelines intend to give competent and responsible Club/Society Committee's practical advice on transport and the associated safety issue.The Transport Guidelines will be communicated to all individuals involved with the transport of Club/Society members to activities and events. If any individual feels that their safety is being compromised they can lodge an official complaint. Details of this procedure are available from the AU office.
Specific Sports Club Guidelines:
Firstly you will need to have a registered driver for your trip, refer to minibus driving guidelines for how to register as a driver.
Transport for BUSA fixtures is already organised by the Sports Administrator, simply come into the AU on the Monday preceding your fixture to get all the details. If you are allocated a minibus or car you will be required to provide the driver. If no one in your club is able to drive the AU will attempt to find you a driver who you will have to pay for their time.
Petrol and bridge costs are paid for by the AU for all BUSA fixtures. Clubs pay for this on the day and keep receipts to be reimbursed by the AU.
If you require transport for other purposes you should firstly approach 2nd floor reception. If they have union transport available for your trip, book it out, take an AU trip request form (this is to be filled out to include all details except the AU number which is not necessary). The trip request form once complete is signed by the AU and then given to reception before you collect your transport.
If Union transport is not available come to the AU office. If your trip is deemed a suitable club activity the Union will pay for the hire, if not the vehicle will still be hired but the club will have to pay any hire charge.
The transport will be ordered by the AU. Again a trip request form is filled in (these are also available from the AU office) and signed by the AU to authorise your trip. The form is then given in to reception when you collect your transport.
Note: For all non BUSA activities clubs pay all their expenses.
Special Equipment
Overloading a vehicle is dangerous and illegal. If you are going to be carrying lots of equipment or baggage, think about it before your trip. For example you can not fit 17 people in a minibus with enough kit for a week. Think about allowing some seats to put baggage on, or arranging the use of a box trailer for it.There are many options available to problems posed by special equipment, the hire of vans and Lorries can even be arranged!
Trailer Towing:
Changes to driver licensing rules which took effect in 1997 and 1998 have a number of implications for sport and recreation organisations using minibuses and trailers.
Drivers who passed their driving test post 1997 are required to undertake further medical examinations, theory and practical tests in order to tow a trailer when driving a minibus. The DVLA Fact Sheet “Driver Licensing Requirements for Towing Trailers
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/forms/pdf/INF28_020702.pdf
will provide assistance with this.
Only use a trailer if you are confident that it can be towed safely. Practice and Training can be arranged.
When towing a trailer, ensure the following:
- The rear emergency doors remain unobstructed by any load being carried on the trailer
- Objects in or on the trailer are securely fastened.
- Objects carried must not exceed the designed towing specification of the trailer.
- The jockey wheel is raised and secured
- All the lights work correctly
- The emergency brake cable is positioned correctly
Roof racks are not to be used on minibuses. The Union will not allow any CUSU vehicles to use a Roof racks and anyone found doing so will be fined a £100.
Contract Vehicles:
If a vehicle has been hired and a driver provided (for example a Coach Company), the 'Duty of Care' will lie with the driver and with the contractor. However, the Activity Organiser must ensure that all the passengers comply with the general transport requirements.
Disability Allowance
CUSU has no vehicles that are available for the transport of disabled persons. However, if your club/society has this requirement then you must contact the Transport Coordinator who will make arrangements for disability taxis to be provided.
Driving Abroad
Can I take it Abroad?
No. Vehicles are no longer allowed abroad.
