Freedom coach.... Please Read

[invicta]

Firstly I am NOT a coach driver!

My interest in this website is the fact that I am a Trustee of a charity that has an adapted coach for use by the disabled, the web site details of which can be found in 'my profile'.

The coach is now 20 years old and fast reaching its retirement. The Trustees have made the decision to endevour to replace it as there are some people who would never get out to to visit places of interest with no Freedom Coach.

Many more disabled people have their own adapted vehicles than when the Freedom Coach was first purchased. Even so there are times when they enjoy travelling together in a group as they can do on the Freedom Coach. There is also the fact that as disabled people with their own transport get older; one day they will have to give up being drivers then how can they get out and about?

Some disabled people would not normally venture across the channel but they have no hesitation in doing so when travelling on the Freedom Coach. I have been to France on two different occasions on the coach and although I have family with whom I travel abroad, nevertheless I appreciated the additional benefits of travelling together as a group of wheelchair/disabled scooter users where suitable parking and other facilities were available.

Can anyone give me any idea how much we will have to raise in order to replace the coach? Are there secondhand ones around that could be converted to take people sitting in wheelchairs on the coach? Of course a lift is a must even for some who are reasonably mobile but cannot access some of the buses and coaches on our roads today. Another very important 'must have' is an accessible on board toilet.

Thanks in anticipation of any responses to my questions!

[The Gaffer]

As you know we are a new forum & the membership is low just now but hopefully it will grow and there are many coach drivers out there that drive disabled coaches equipped with both your requirements.

There are many coach sales that sell used disabled coaches but you really need someone that knows what they looking for as there are a lot of rust buckets on the market that might go through the pcv test for a couple of years then cost you a fortune.

I have worked the disabled coaches for a lot of years in the past & know the enjoyment these people get from being able to get out and about.

I have made this a sticky so new members will notice it.

PS, please put your website url in your signature it will be more noticeable

[demondrivemaster]

as glynn says there is a lot of tat on the market and really you need to have someone on board who knows what they are looking at but you could always try the "bus and coach buyer magazine"
or alternatively the british car auctions hold bus and coach specific auctions on a regular basis try their website to find out when and where

hope this helps mate.