Cruisers are delighted to announce we have joined Busk’s Free Days Out for Schools Vouchers Scheme
The soon to be launched – Free days out for schools vouchers scheme aims to help budget stretched schools, who are already facing difficult financial choices, to cover the cost of hiring a coach for their educational trips and residential activities. Many schools are under financial pressures to choose the cheapest but safest coach. However, a number of schools have now realised that opting for the cheapest quote cannot guarantee a safe coach.
Visit our coach hire for schools webpage for more information about our school coach hire services.
The scheme will also be working along side BUSK’s (Belt Up School Kids) “Benchmark” safety standard and Challenge Cheap Coach Hire campaign. This will allow schools to redeem vouchers through any participating Benchmark member – coach company. The Benchmark standard is the first and only completely independent star rating for the minibus and coach industry based on safety and legal compliance. Coach and Minibus companies who have attained the six-star Benchmark standard undergo independent audits and spot-checks covering legal compliance, safeguarding passengers and driver training.
The voucher scheme will help schools to avoid cheap coach hire quotes from companies who are not operating to a safe or legal standard. Vouchers will not only help schools to cover the cost of hiring a coach but also bridge the cost difference between the cheapest quote and the cost of a reasonable rate, charged by a Benchmark coach company to cover the necessary costs to operate their coaches legally and safely.
In addition the scheme will also help to reduce the need for schools to ask for contributions or payments from parents who are finding it difficult to pay. Schools that redeem vouchers to pay for coach hire will be able to avoid the need to cancel school days out through lack of funds or contributions.
The Free days out for schools voucher scheme will be lunched at the BUSK School Transport Safety Conference 16-18th March 2016 when schools will be able to start collecting E-vouchers through the You Me Community website. Vouchers will be generated when local communities are encouraged to support small businesses and retailers by shopping locally.
For more information please contact us on 01737 770046
