Minibus Fleet

All vehicles in the EDCT fleet undergo regular safety inspections at Durham County Council to ensure that they are roadworthy and comply with the latest regulations.  Any repair is carried out immediately it is reported to us and is taken off the road until it is fit for use.  Safety is our number one priority.

All vehicles are fitted with “any-age” seatbelts (with the exception of the 16 seat Mercedes).  It is the groups responsibility to  provide and ensure the correct fitting of the seats. Please see the information below for full details.

The fleet is made up of fully-accessible and standard minibuses and they have easy-access steps to enable convenient entry and exit.

All vehicles are fuelled and checked with a daily maintenance routine performed by EDCT staff prior to collection by the hirer on weekdays, with fuel cards given out on weekends if necessary.  However, it is the driver’s legal responsibility to carry out the checks listed on the log sheet before taking the vehicle even if it has been checked with any defects reported to EDCT prior to using the vehicle if necessary.

All vehicles in the EDCT fleet are available for sponsorship or advertising in an exclusive full fleet deal or per bus. Each vehicle is a large, mobile advertising machine which visits all places in East Durham and numerous villages, towns and cities in the surrounding areas and across the Country – contact the office for details.  We are currently lucky enough to be sponsored by KNS Automotive - a local businedd for all your car parts and consumables.  0191 5867788

Seatbelt and car seat rules.

If your group is supplying its own driver, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that:

• Children under 3 years of age use an appropriate child restraint such as a car seat – you are responsible for supplying and fitting your own car seat and ensuring it is the correct type of fitting for the vehicles.

 

• Children aged from 3 years up to their 12th birthday, and under 1.35 metres (approx. 4’5”) tall, use an appropriate child restraint if available, or if not available, wear the seat belt

 

• Children aged 12 and 13 years (and younger children who are 1.35 metres or taller) use the seat belt.

 

• Passengers 14 years or over must wear seat belts and are personally responsible for doing so but the driver or other member of staff should ensure they are wearing a seat belt before driving off.

 

• When carrying passengers under the age of 18 you should ensure that you have a responsible adult sitting in the rear of the vehicle throughout the journey.

 

• 4 of our 5 minibuses have  ‘any age’ seatbelts, which slide down to fit each person – it is the drivers responsibility to ensure each child has the correct fitting seat belt.  Under 3’s however should be in a child restraint.

 

If you are hiring an EDCT driver it is you and your staffs duty to ensure the correct seat belt is being used throughout the journey.

We actively discourage carrying children under the age of 12 in the front seat of our vehicles and ask that you only allow children over 12 years and over 4”5” to do so under our terms and conditions of hire.

If your group is supplying its own driver, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that:

• Children under 3 years of age use an appropriate child restraint such as a car seat – you are responsible for supplying and fitting your own car seat and ensuring it is the correct type of fitting for the vehicles.
• Children aged from 3 years up to their 12th birthday, and under 1.35 metres (approx. 4’5”) tall, use an appropriate child restraint if available, or if not available, wear the seat belt
• Children aged 12 and 13 years (and younger children who are 1.35 metres or taller) use the seat belt.
• Passengers 14 years or over must wear seat belts and are personally responsible for doing so but the driver or other member of staff should ensure they are wearing a seat belt before driving off.
• When carrying passengers under the age of 18 you should ensure that you have a responsible adult sitting in the rear of the vehicle throughout the journey.
• 4 of our 5 minibuses have  ‘any age’ seatbelts, which slide down to fit each person – it is the drivers responsibility to ensure each child has the correct fitting seat belt.  Under 3’s however should be in a child restraint.

If you are hiring an EDCT driver it is you and your staffs duty to ensure the correct seat belt is being used throughout the journey.

This notice is in addition to the current hire agreement so please retain for your reference.