Fuel costs threat to drive scheme

The co-ordinator of a community transport scheme fears rising fuel costs will prompt drivers to stop volunteering because they are out of pocket.

Mrs Judy Byrom, from the Newark and Sherwood Voluntary Transport Scheme, said 32 volunteer drivers provided transport to take people to hospital appointments.

They also take people from rural areas to doctors, opticians and dentists.

Drivers use their own cars and are paid an allowance of 40p per mile, a tax-free rate set by HM Customs and Revenue under the Fixed Profit Car Scheme.

The scheme allows for the payment of mileage allowances without the organisation or volunteer having to keep detailed records.

But Mrs Byrom said recent rises in fuel costs meant the allowance was not enough and volunteers were often out of pocket.

“Every time they fill up their cars they notice a difference,” she said.

“I have not lost any drivers yet, but one or two other schemes have lost drivers because of it.”

Mr Chris Graham (72) of Alexander Avenue, Newark, has been a volunteer driver for three years.

In 2005 it cost about £48 to fill his diesel Citroen Xsara Picasso. It now costs about £78.

“When I first started we were getting an expenses allowance that was adequate,” said Mr Graham.

“It was not costing us drivers anything.

“The problem is now with the excessive fuel charges it’s becoming difficult for us. It’s coming out of our own pockets.

“We are subsidising the Government.”

Mr Graham estimated his participation in the voluntary transport scheme was costing him up to £300 a year.

Mrs Byrom said if they paid more than 40p a mile the drivers would be liable to pay tax and would have to keep detailed records of what was voluntary mileage and what was private mileage.

They would also have to complete a tax return form each year.

She said many of the drivers were retired and stopped paying income tax many years ago.

Mrs Byrom said the mileage rate had not changed in six years, despite rising inflation.

She has organised an online petition addressed to the Prime Minister on the Downing Street website calling for the approved mileage allowance that volunteer drivers can claim to be raised. More than 400 people have so far signed it.

“The drivers give up hours of their time,” said Mrs Byrom.

“They are supportive and provide a personal service. We are saving the health service money because they don’t have to use ambulances.”

The scheme is subsidised by Nottinghamshire Primary Care Trust, which pays half the mileage allowance for all medical journeys.

The online petition is at:

petitions.pm.gov.uk/Voldrivers