The traditional methods of buying a minibus have resulted in problems for some schools – but there is an alternative.

Traditionally, PTAs and other voluntary organisations have raised money for schools in order to allow them to buy a minibus.

Which is wonderful – except for one thing.

It probably took the PTA several years to raise that money – but school minibuses do need replacing from time to time, and one can hardly ask the PTA to start raising money for the NEXT minibus when they have just handed over the cheque for the present one!

There is a way around this, however, by using Minibus Finance Lease.

This means you pay either the entire cost of the vehicle, including interest charges, over an agreed lease period or opt to pay lower monthly rentals with a final payment based on the anticipated resale value of the vehicle.

At the commencement of the contract monthly payments and interest rates are fixed for the duration of the contract based on estimated usage.

In this way the school benefits through fixed costs but does take on the administration and operating risks.

At the conclusion of the contract you can continue to operate the vehicle under a “peppercorn agreement” although you will at no time take ownership of it.

The leasing programme can also include accident management, organised around one key telephone number. Thus the driver or the school office calls the number as soon as you know about the incident and we’ll do all the rest.

We’ll take care of rescue and recovery, onward transport for driver, the school students and vehicle, repairs, uninsured losses, and, of course, any necessary legal advice.

For more information about leasing a minibus with Benchmark Leasing you can go to our website, call us on 01753 859944 or email minibus@benchmarkleasing.co.uk