Rivervale Minibus

18/07/2026

The charging challenge: progress and pressure ⚡

Here are some key findings of the recent 'Road to Zero Report':
⚡ The UK will need to average around 48,000 new chargers per year to remain on track for 2030
⚡ Regional disparities remain, with charger availability continuing to be concentrated in London and the South East
⚡ Business car leasing remains the main driver of battery electric vehicle uptake, with salary sacrifice and company car schemes continuing to perform strongly
⚡ The number of affordable electric models has grown, with 55 now under £30,000 and 22 under £25,000, but only four vans sit below £30,000, where demand typically sits

https://buff.ly/x7SzpW1

Have you made the switch? How are you finding it?

Welcome to the latest edition of The Road to Zero Report The BVRLA’s Road to Zero Report is an annual assessment of the UK’s progress towards zero-emission road transport. Launched in 2019, it provides an overall ranking of progress before taking a deeper look at the respective performance of ZE...

17/07/2026

The Community Transport Association has published the latest findings from their D1 licensing reform campaign, highlighting the impact that current licensing rules are having on community transport operators across the UK.

It's revealed strong support for a more accessible route to obtaining a D1 licence, helping to remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining high standards of road safety.

More than 400 community transport operators shared their experiences, with many reporting increasing difficulty in recruiting volunteer and paid drivers, leading to driver shortages. Organisations have been struggling to meet passenger demand, maintain services and support the communities that rely on them.

Support the campaign. and follow along here!
https://buff.ly/1A6Bmg5

Between January and April 2026, we heard from over 400 respondents from Community Transport Operators across the UK about how the current D1 licensing rules are affecting their ability to recruit drivers, meet demand and sustain services.

17/07/2026

Another fantastic handover! 🤝

We got to deliver a brand-new 9-seat Renault Trafic to Laura of Busy Bee Pre-School and Day Nursery in Bourne today.

They've been supporting families for almost 40 years and have recently moved to their fantastic new 3-acre nursery site!

14/07/2026

It's been announced... 📣
'Safe People on the Move' is this year's theme for Road Safety Week 2026!

"Whether we walk, wheel, ride or drive, we all share our roads whenever we are on the move. However we travel, we all have a shared responsibility to use our roads safely, and those with the potential to do the most harm must have the greatest responsibility to protect those people who are more vulnerable on our roads."

Well said Brake, the road safety charity, we couldn't agree more 👍

Throughout , they’ll be sharing important messages, activities and events to raise awareness of how we can all use our roads more safely.
This event is a fantastic opportunity to educate your pupils and drivers on best, safe practice out there 🦺

14/07/2026

Before you head off for summer, (only a few days to go!), check out the UK School Trips website for next year's school trip inspiration ✨

You can narrow it down to:
🎒 Age range
🎒 Subject
🎒 Region
🎒 Accessibility
🎒 Season

Here at UK School Trips, we offer teachers and educational group trip organisers free and direct contact to the UK's top tried and tested school trip ideas

10/07/2026

Next up!
It's our In-Person Advanced Minibus Management Course.

Our face-to-face course builds on the fundamentals and includes:
👍 Insight from a specialist transport solicitor on the grey areas surrounding minibus operations
👍 Advice from a health & safety consultant on risk management and what a H&S auditor would be looking for with minibus operations.
👍 Interactive Q&A sessions, and the chance to discuss challenges and exchange ideas with peers.
👍 A welcoming, relaxed, and comfortable environment to learn
👍 Lunch & refreshments

£395 plus VAT per person

You can find out more on our website here: https://buff.ly/eS6wyYx
Call us to book your place: 📞 01869 253744

09/07/2026

We hope you're completing your walk-around daily checks before journeys (it's mandatory in case you didn't know!)

A FREE tool you can use to do them is our My Minibus Manager App:
✔️ Digital Checks: Complete vehicle checks digitally that are immediately submitted
✔️ Photos & Notes: Give details on issues directly in the app, ensuring clear communication
✔️ Instructional Videos: How to conduct daily (12-point) and weekly (40-point) vehicle checks
✔️ Immediate Setup: Easy and quick dashboard setup for your immediate use, streamlining the check process for multiple users
✔️ Free for everyone: No purchase from us necessary, it's accessible for everyone

Watch the video below to find out more 👍

Nick Patel talks you through and demonstrates the daily checks you ...

08/07/2026

At Rivervale Minibus, we offer 2 levels of the Minibus Management Course to suit your needs 👍

First up, our Online Fundamentals Course:
✔️ It's available as an introduction to minibus compliance
✔️ Aimed at those new to driving or running minibuses

If you purchase, lease, or hire a minibus from Rivervale Minibus, we will give you free access to this course as part of our commitment to minibus safety & compliance.

Otherwise, the Fundamentals Online Minibus Management Course is available on a subscription basis for 12 months
💰️ £195 plus VAT for four logins
💰️ £295 plus VAT for unlimited users (with the same email domain, for example: .sch.org)

Want to know more? Here you go: https://buff.ly/eS6wyYx
You can always call our team too:
📞 01869 253744
📩 [email protected]

07/07/2026

We get asked this question an awful lot from transport managers, club managers, drivers, volunteers, teachers and everyone else who runs a minibus!

Do you know what a Section-19 Permit is?
No? We've got your back 👍 ⬇️
https://buff.ly/m6Sq3wk

This article will explain what a Section 19 Permit is, who needs one and what its requirements are. To operate 9-16 passenger seat minibuses for 'hire and reward', you will need either a Section 19 Permit or a PSV Operators Licence (O Licence). An O Licence requires considerable financial reserves,....