About BATS Bexley Accessible Transport Scheme
Founded in July 2004, we are a thriving community transport scheme, operating within the Borough of Bexley.
Our core purpose is to provide affordable, accessible and safe transport for individuals, community and voluntary groups within the London Borough of Bexley.
Our minibuses are operated under Section 19 Standard permits as outlined in the Transport Act 1985 and subsequent amendments.
Proud Winners for “Best Charity 2016”
Bexley Business Excellence Awards Event
Core Objectives
BATS aims to achieve its core purpose by:
- Providing transport for groups and individuals at affordable rates.
- Recruiting volunteer drivers and training them to Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS) standard and accessible training.
- Providing information and advice and MiDAS training to voluntary groups operating their own minibuses and offering brokerage opportunities.
- Encouraging the best use of existing community vehicles.
- Marketing the scheme to groups with transport needs within the borough and in particular targeting disadvantaged and socially-excluded groups.
- Ensuring the Management Committee reflects users views as widely as possible.
- Developing new community transport services to meet identifiable needs.
- Meeting legal and statutory obligations.
Values
- BATS strive to provide transport services that meet everyone’s needs regardless of the traditional barriers relating to access and use.
- BATS strive to provide a range of innovative and high quality services for all of our service users.
- BATS strive to provide local opportunities in employment and training.
- BATS strive to involve our service users in all aspects of our organisation’s activities.
Our scheme operates on a membership only basis.
Membership is open to not-for-profit, voluntary and community groups, social enterprises and charities which serve the residents of Bexley. Groups that qualify for membership include those involved with older people, people with disabilities, children and young people, recreational activities, social welfare or other activities benefiting the community.
You can find out more about our membership fees by looking at the Membership page.
Income and Services
In addition to the memberships and hire fees from our individual and group memberships, our income is earned through contract services, working with partners such as The London Borough of Bexley and the London Borough of Bromley.
We run a mobile health clinic, Health on Wheels, which can be hired by small groups for Health awareness, community outreach and social inclusion programmes.
We also provide Home-To-School transport for SEN (Special Educational Needs) pupils of schools and colleges who would otherwise find journeys difficult.
We established a food accessibility scheme, providing a Hop ‘n’ Shop bus to help the elderly, disabled and parents with small children to access shops and markets.
Transport for London as well as Dial a Ride services also supported us in the establishment of a small community bus route, the 938 Bus Service, which runs between Erith and Bexleyheath via Crayford and Hall Place two days a week. BATS provide a Dial a Ride service daily for TfL in Bexley and Bromley boroughs.
This work is undertaken to ensure our long-term financial sustainability.
Vehicle donations with huge thanks to Welling Round table, Anthony Martin Estate agents and The Rotary club Sidcup.
We gratefully welcome donations and fundraising.
Management
The scheme is controlled by an annually-elected Trustee Board made up of representatives of community groups in Bexley, along with additional Trustees having strategic and day–to–day management is the responsibility of the CEO, Lorraine Evans who is also on the steering Committee of the Hear network as an advocate for Human rights and Equality, Lorraine is supported by an office staff of 4 people.
Trustee board meetings are held bi-monthly. A Finance sub-committee is established to provide more effective support to the Chief Executive in developing the sustainability of the scheme, the Trustee board is elected each year at the AGM.
What our service users say about BATS
Enquiry
For initial information about the services we provide, please browse our service pages.
For specific information about how we operate, please e-mail: enquiries@bexleyct.co.uk or give us a call on (01322) 311333.
“BATS have a vision to ensure we reach out to the community of Bexley Borough and neighbouring boroughs. Tackling the issues of isolation and loneliness by way of Accessible Transport and bringing people together.“
Lorraine Evans, CEO
