Our walking group is a member of 'Rural Miles'. This is a community transport service based in Malton which enables community groups such as ours, without their own minibus transport, to use minibuses owned by RYECAT. The scheme was launched in April 2002 and acts as a ‘broker’ to ensure the full use of a number of minibuses within Ryedale and the Borough of Scarborough.

Our group is entitled to use the services of ‘Rural Miles’ under a Section 19 permit as we are a non-profit making group benefiting the community by being involved in Educational, Recreational and Social Welfare activities. The money we pay RYECAT for the use of the minibus is recouped from the walkers using it. Use of the bus is only open to paid up members of Ryedale Walking Group. A list of registered members permitted to travel, along with our registered drivers is held on database by RYECAT. The bus we use is a long wheelbase 17 seat 4 ton Ford Transit:

Our walk leaders Nigel, Phil, Sam and Steve hold the MIDAS Certificate. MIDAS is the nationally recognised MInibus Driver Awareness Scheme, organised by the Community Transport Association UK. This means our drivers have reached the recognised standard for the assessment and training of minibus drivers. Any member of our walking group that drives the Ryedale Rover Minibus must have successfully completed the MiDAS course. The cost of the MiDAS training course for our drivers and the annual membership cost of RYECAT is met from group funds.

What does the MiDAS course teach?

Our intention is to use the RYECAT Minibus service for occasional day walks when it is beneficial to do so.  We also use the minibus when we organise walking holidays. Members travelling in the bus are covered by RYECAT third party insurance.