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Wheelchair
Accessible Vehicle Enterprises Ltd
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Enterprises Ltd
In 2001, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Enterprises Ltd (W.A.V.E.) was
formed by the Order of Malta as a company that could carry out commercial
activities.
The formation of this
company has been carried out in such a manner, that the Board of WAVE
comprises User Directors and Members of the Order of Malta, with no involvement
of Council representatives. This eliminates any conflicts of interest.
All work carried out
by WAVE has to generate enough income to cover all costs plus a surplus.
Consequently no activity that WAVE carries out should be allowed to have
an impact on Dial-a-Journey.
In 2001, WAVE successfully
applied for it's own Operators License, and shortly afterwards, was successful
in securing two local Bus Service Contracts, the Trossachs Trundler and
the Clackmannanshire Rural Rider that had formerly been operated by Order
of Malta Dial-a-Journey until the contract expiry dates.
WAVE can offer private
hire service in vehicles ranging from 12 to 31 seats with wheelchair access.
Expenditure
Dial-a-Journey's total expenditure has increased by 56% overall in the
period. This is slightly ahead of income, and requires to be monitored.
As with most methods of generating income, a certain amount of expenditure
is necessary. Increased income has been generated from contract work and
external training, but has attracted expenditure directly related to carrying
out these activities. Wage costs continued to be the largest item of expenditure,
followed by fuel and vehicle repairs.
It is interesting to note that while our fuel costs overall have risen
by 92% since 1995 and our overall costs have risen by 56%, our fares have
increased more slowly by 27.5%. Our cheapest fare in 1995 was £1.45.
It is now £1.85 (The cost of fuel per litre has risen from 48 pence
per litre to 80 pence per litre -a rise of 62% in 5 years).
General
Statistics
We currently employ a total of 25 temporary and permanent, part-time and
full-time employees compared to 20 in 1995.
The fleet has increased from 9 operational vehicles to 17
There has been a significant increase in total passengers carried of 95.6%
from 23863 to 45654
Self-drive hire has more than doubled the number of passengers carried
to 3421 in 99/2000, which is encouraging, because it reflects a demand
for vehicles which we can offer outwith the peak time demands of Dial-a-Journey
needs. It also makes good use of vehicles that would have been idle when
we had no drivers. It is interesting to note that the turnaround in demand
for this service meant that it wasn't withdrawn, which was an option considered
in 1995.
Generally speaking,
although costs are slightly ahead of income, Dial-a-Journey has seen significant
growth in it's services, maintained work for employees and enhanced the
quality of transport provision throughout sector we operate in.
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