Mini Bus Expenditure

Summary

The requester asked for the cost and quantity of minibuses purchased specifically for patient transport and demand-responsive services between April 2017 and April 2019. The Department of Infrastructure clarified that no vehicles were bought solely for these purposes but disclosed the costs and quantities of minibuses acquired during that period as part of general fleet replacement.

Key Facts

• No vehicles were purchased for the sole purpose of Patient Transport Services or Demand Responsive Transport.
• Minibuses are used for multiple services, so running costs are incorporated into the entire bus fleet's operational expenditure.
• In 2017-18, 12 minibuses (8 Mobility and 4 Transfer) were purchased for £732,516.
• In 2018-19, 8 Mobility minibuses were purchased for £345,528.
• All purchased vehicles were Mercedes Benz Sprinter models.

Data Disclosed

• 2017-04-01
• 2019-04-01
• 2017-18
• 2018-19
• 8 x Mercedes Benz Sprinter 35 Mobility minibus
• 4 x Mercedes Benz Sprinter 45 Transfer minibus
• £732,516
• £345,528
• 799065

Original Request

Since 1st April 2017 to 1st April 2019 how much money has the DOI spent on minibuses? Clarification: I would only specifically like to know the amount of money spent (cost) on purchasing minibuses that are used for the "Connect Ports" and "Connect Villages" and the patient transfer services to/from Nobles Hospital that were originally done by Red Cross and the Island private sector taxi/private hire service providers. Ideally also I would like to know how many mini-buses were bought for these purposes also.

Data Tables (2)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 799065 21 May 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 17 April 2019 and which states (sic):

"Since 1st April 2017 to 1st April 2019 how much money has the DOI spent on minibuses? Clarification: I would only specifically like to know the amount of money spent (cost) on purchasing minibuses that are used for the "Connect Ports" and "Connect Villages" and the patient transfer services to/from Nobles Hospital that were originally done by Red Cross and the Island private sector taxi/private hire service providers. Ideally also I would like to know how many mini-buses were bought for these purposes also."

No vehicles have been purchased for the sole purpose of Patient Transport Services (PTS) or Demand Responsive Transport (Connect Ports/Villages).
However, we are happy to supply below the purchase costs of minibuses which have been bought as part of our normal programme of fleet replacement during the time period you have stipulated. It is important to note that minibuses are used for services other than those named in your request and, for that reason, all running costs associated with minibuses are incorporated in the operational expenditure of the entire bus fleet. 2017-18 8 x Mercedes Benz Sprinter 35 Mobility minibus 4 x Mercedes Benz Sprinter 45 Transfer minibus £732,516 2018-19 8 x Mercedes Benz Sprinter 35 Mobility minibus £345,528

Please quote the reference number 799065 in any future communications.

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Yours sincerely

FOI Response Team