What’s the biggest problem with having a school minibus – and how can it be fixed?

The fact that over half the secondary schools in the UK have at least one minibus is not a surprise.  But what is a surprise is that a recent survey conducted by the School of Educational Administration and Management  found that over half of those school minibuses are over 5 years old.

Of course there’s nothing wrong with an older minibus – except for the fact that, as with all vehicles, as they get older they need more attention, cost more to run and take up more time in maintenance.

Plus there is the point that minibuses are, according to the survey, increasingly being used for regular journeys to other schools, colleges, swimming pools and the like, as well as occasional visits organised by departments.

All of which means that vehicles are not only on average older, but they are also being used more – and this adds to the problem.

The simple solution (buy a new minibus) is often an impossible option, which is why the older vehicles are being kept on the road.

However, there is an alternative, which is to lease a minibus.  At present around 20% of school minibuses are leased – but the SEAM report shows that well over half of schools are now considering financing their next minibus via a lease.

What’s more, leasing still allows the school to have the school name and logo on the side of the bus – with a full range of models available.

If you would like to see what models are available, do take a look at our website – www.minibusleasing.co.uk/school-minibus.php

One final bonus: not only does leasing overcome the question of funding, it also offers the opportunity of putting the maintenance with the leasing company – thus ensuring that the bus is fully serviced throughout the year and running at the highest safety standards.

If you would like more information please email us at Minibus@benchmarkleasing.co.uk or call us on 01753 859 944.

I need a minibus, but we don’t have the cash

The school minibus: gateway to education beyond the classroom, but seemingly too expensive to buy, full of red tape and the need to have someone in the school who sees to the maintenance.

Except that there are solutions, solutions which can be used to provide a minibus, whether for the exclusive use of the sports department or to be shared with other departments in the school.

For a start, a minibus does not necessarily require a large payment of money up front. If the school leases a minibus rather than buying it outright the school then pays for it on a monthly basis, thereby overcoming completely the problem of squeezing already limited cash reserves.  And that is only the start of the saving. 

Where some school visits and trips are paid for through contributions from parents and the PTA, this can often generate enough funds to cover the monthly cost of the minbus.

Alternatively, the minibus can be funded through small monthly deductions from various departments’ income.  Or, if you can persuade both the PTA and perhaps half a dozen departments in the school to agree to fund the bus jointly, the funding problem is completely resolved.

The  issue of keeping the vehicle fully maintained and operational at all times can be overcome by an arrangement whereby the company from whom the school leases the minibus is also in charge of maintenance.

What’s more, if you order a minibus in the near future, the chances are it will be delivered to you in September.

Benchmark Leasing specialises in the supply and maintenance of school minibuses.  If you are interested in the benefits of a minibus do call us on 01753 859944 or click here to see what we can offer.