Minibus service for disabled students
The minibus service allows disabled students to travel to lectures, seminars, tutorials, library, meetings with support teams and attend other academic activities.
The minibus is accessible for both manual and powered wheelchairs and operates on all the University’s campuses: University Park, Jubilee, Sutton Bonington, Kings Meadow, University accommodation, Queens Medical Centre and City Hospital Nottingham.
Journeys need to be pre-booked in order to accommodate all students. Whilst the service aims to be responsive and offers some degree of flexibility it does not and cannot operate as a taxi service.
Hours of operation
During term-time the minibus operates Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm.
Out of term-time:
- Postgraduate students can continue to use the Service as per normal term-time hours.
- For undergraduate students, a reduced service will operate depending on the nature of the journey and availability.
The minibus does not operate on University closure days.
How to make a booking
Once you have been referred for the minibus, you will be sent an information pack and an email welcoming you to the service.
You will receive a minibus service user form for you to book your minibus journeys. Please complete and submit this form by 5pm every Wednesday for journeys commencing the following Monday. After you have submitted the form you will receive email confirmation of your booked journeys and the drivers by midday on Friday. Please remember to check your emails regularly.
If you have any difficulty reading or completing the form please email disability-supportservices@nottingham.ac.uk so we can assist you.
Please note the following points:
- We endeavour to accommodate any late requests. However, if the minibus is not available at the time you require it, we may suggest an alternative time.
- We prioritise all exam journeys so that you arrive in good time. The minibus will be available outside of standard hours where needed to suit your exams (including Saturdays and late-finishing exams). Please ensure you mark on the booking form if your journey is for an exam.
- If you require a personal assistant to travel with you, and they do not usually travel with you, please contact the driver.
- If you are not present for the journey to your destination, your return journey will automatically be cancelled unless you call the minibus driver.
- If the minibus is oversubscribed or unavailable at the journey time you have booked, an alternative provision will be made wherever possible, at no cost to you.
- If you consistently miss booked journeys and do not notify the minibus driver or email us at minibus@nottingham.ac.uk, we reserve the right to withdraw the service.
How do I amend or cancel a booked journey?
If you have already received email confirmation for your booked journey, please call the driver to make the change.
If you have not received email confirmation of your booked journey yet, please email minibus@nottingham.ac.uk
Please be aware that booking times may be altered to take into account regulations surrounding Covid-19. You will be notified of any changes in advance by email.
Safety on the minibus
It is your responsibility to ensure all the appropriate restraints (clamps and belts) are used during journeys. Please ask the driver if you require help - you should not distract the driver whilst the minibus is moving. In accordance with University policy, food, drink, smoking and vaping are not permitted in the minibus.
All passengers must comply with these safety procedures and the University of Nottingham will not assume liability for passengers who do not comply with them. Failure to comply with these safety procedures will result in the withdrawal of the service.
The service will follow the Covid-19 guidelines laid down by the government and our operation of the service will be reviewed regularly.
The following additional safety measures will be in place:
- The vehicle's interior and exterior contact points will be cleaned after each use using alcohol-based wipes or soap and warm water.
- Windows will be open allowing good air flow.;
- Social distancing and face covering will operate within the vehicle.
- Hand sanitiser will be available.
Please be aware that booking times may be altered to take into account regulations surrounding Covid-19. You will be notified of any changes in advance by email.