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Wiltshire Wheels-to-Work is a moped loan scheme for people aged 16+ living
in rural communities in Wiltshire and Swindon who have been offered a
job or paid vocational training opportunity but cannot take it up due
to transport problems.
The scheme, which is managed by Community First, works by loaning 50cc
mopeds for up to 6 months along a fully subsidised Compulsory Basic Training
(CBT) test and safety equipment (helmet, jacket, gloves and a hi-viz vest)
in return for a small fee of £10 per week (riders will be expected
to meet their fuel costs).
Who can the scheme help?
People living in rural parts of Wiltshire or Swindon who have had a firm
offer of employment or paid vocatonal training that they are unable to
reach by public trasnport or any other means of transport.
How can people apply?
To apply you must be receiving help or benefits from your local
Connexions or Job Centre Plus branch. Potential riders will be referred
to the scheme by Job Centre Plus and Connexions after they have filled
out an application form held by their advisers. This form will ask for
details about where potential riders live, what their current employment
situation is, what their transport needs are and what financial means
they have available to them as a means of considering whether people are
eligible for support via the scheme.
Before applying, potential riders will also need to have a provisional
or full driving licence to ride a moped. Forms are available from the
Post Office.
What happens then?
If applicants are considered eligible for support, a co-ordinator will
be in contact to arrange a meeting with them and their parent(s)/guardian(s)
present (where appropriate). If deemed suitable for support, the co-ordinator
will then book riders in for their CBT having drawn up a contract with
them beforehand which sets out the terms of use for the scheme (riders
under 18 will need their parent(s)/guardian(s) to act as a guarantor).
On successful completion of the CBT and a further safety training lesson,
a moped with lock plus a helmet, jacket and gloves will be provided to
the rider.
What about insurance?
All Wiltshire Wheels-to-Work mopeds will be fully taxed and insured by
Community First but it is strongly advised that riders take out personal
accident insurance before joining the scheme.
What about servicing?
The mopeds will be serviced by a number of approved motorcycle dealers
across Wiltshire and Swindon. All servicing costs will be covered by the
scheme but you will be expected to take the moped to the dealer. Servicing
is generally completed every 1800 miles.
Can the mopeds be used other than just for work?
As well as using the moped to get to work or paid vocational training
(up to 40 miles there and back), riders will also be allowed to use their
moped for leisure purposes although to ensure the privilege is not abused,
the scheme's co-ordinator will meet up with the rider on a regular basis
to discuss how the moped is being used. This meeting will also be a chance
for the rider to talk about their employment/paid vocational training
issues and to have basic maintenance checks made to their moped. At this
meeting the rider will also pay for their wear and tear contributions
for the moped.
What happens after the moped is given back?
Each person issued with a moped will be encouraged to take up a Credit
Union savings plan during the six months that they are supported by the
scheme to help them towards buying their own vehicle at the end of the
lease term.
Follow this link to download the End of Year Report - April 2008. (PDF File - 307kb)
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