Thank you for joining us at Aintree Racecourse, home of the world-famous Grand National, to celebrate 30 years of safe, legal and comfortable journeys with MiDAS. 

Community Transport Association and Hampshire County Council are delighted to welcome you for a day of insightful panel talks, presentations, and the all important awards ceremony, and to check out the exhibition stands, network and explore the vehicles we have on site.

On this page you will find today's agenda, information about our fantastic event sponsors, awards categories and more.

If you would like to share you MiDAS photos, from past or present, please email [email protected].

Event Sponsors 

Here you will find more information and special offers from our event sponsors. Read about their products and services and feel free to explore the exhibition stands and vehicles on display at Aintree. 

Dawsons Group Bus & Coach

Dawsongroup bus and coach are specialists in the supply of passenger carrying vehicle market catering to those moving passengers, pupils, and patients.

Dawsongroup bus and coach limited are the passenger carrying vehicle supply business within the Dawsongroup plc family of companies. The Group operated over 30,000 vehicle assets, across a wide range of transport sectors in the UK as well as internationally.  

Our comprehensive range includes both wheelchair accessible and fixed seat vehicles of all passenger capacities, which can be provided on short or long-term hire, as well as with finance and purchase options – all with or without maintenance and tyres, breakdown and road tax options. We hold extensive stocks of premium quality new and used vehicles but can also offer to provide a package on your own choice of vehicle too. We can also offer you the ability to release funds back into your organisation through various refinancing options. In summary, if it can be done with a vehicle, we can probably do it! 

SPECIAL OFFER  

• For every new vehicle quoted and supplied to a CTA member between 1st September and 31st December this year, and who mentions this offer when first enquiring, we will donate £1.00 per week of rental booked to the ‘Women in Bus and Coach’ Initiative.

Find out more about Dawsons Group Bus and Coach here. 

Maxus

PHVC Minibus Leasing & Fleet Suppliers

When it comes to supplying Minibuses and wheelchair accessible vehicles PHVC are at the forefront of the leasing industry and have been supporting the Business and Care & Community Sectors for 34 years.  We understand the unique needs of our customers and as such we offer a wide range of flexible solutions tailored to meet with your specific requirements, from short-term rentals to fully managed fleets.  To further enhance our service to our customers, as of 1 September 2024, PHVC have taken over the management of all maintenance bookings.

So if you are looking to lease / outright purchase vehicles or make the switch to electric, our expert team are on hand to help you achieve your goals.

PHVC Minibus Leasing & Fleet Suppliers are based at the Solent Business Park, in Whiteley, Hampshire and has recently transferred to an Employee Trust, making a pivotal shift towards employee ownership.  By empowering the staff, PHVC not only ensures its longevity but also enriches customer interactions, enhancing our customer experiences.  

SPECIAL OFFER

• PHVC offer a Free Demo of our Ford 15 Seat Electric Minibus (North & South) + 9 Seat Vivaro E Life Demo.

Find out more about PHVC Minibus Leasing & Fleet Supplies here. 

Passenger Lift Solutions 

For over 30 years, Passenger Lift Solutions (PLS) has been designing and manufacturing wheelchair lifts for passenger accessible vehicles. As the UK’s largest manufacturer of wheelchair lifts and the only UK supplier of cassette lifts, we are renowned for our build quality and engineering excellence.

The manufacture of wheelchair lifts for a wide range of vehicles including minibuses, coaches, taxis, Motability vehicles, community transport vehicles, and boats. PLS also offers a range of other mobility products including ramps, steps, and winches.

Through our PLS Assist service we provide managed servicing, maintenance, and LOLER examination for customers across the UK.

SPECIAL OFFER

• Arrange your first LOLER inspection with PLS and receive your second LOLER inspection for free.
• Order a new PLS lift with single throw-over handrails and receive the matching set for free.
• Free operator training with the purchase of any PLS lift.
• £100 off the purchase of a DoorSafe for retrofit to an existing vehicle.
• 50% off a StopSafe Docking Station when purchased with an Access Lift StopSafe. 

Find out more about Passenger Lift Solutions (PLS) here. 

TBC Conversions 

Providing customers with bespoke conversions and adaptions, enables drivers and passengers living with disabilities to travel safely, independently, in style and comfort.

Founded in 2006, TBC Conversions is recognised as one of the market-leading conversion companies operating across the UK and Ireland, specialising in vehicle conversions. Our converted vehicles range from wheelchair-accessible vehicles, adapted minibuses and taxis to bespoke specialist vehicle conversions.

TBC Conversions are recognised as one of the UK’s leading vehicle conversion and adaptation specialists. Established in 2006, the company has secured a reputation for quality and reliability, converting each vehicle with intelligence, empathy and care.

In 2023 TBC Conversions were delighted to be included in the MAN Partner Program. The company are also certified as an Integrated Partner by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Both demonstrate their outstanding technical expertise and experience in the conversion of Commercial Vehicles.  Approved Vehicle Convertors for Mercedes, Renault, Vauxhall, Citroen, Peugeot, Ford and Fiat. 

TBC Conversions has an expansive customer base including Local Authorities, Community Transport Operators, Commercial Vehicle Dealerships, Health & Social Care Trusts, Fire & Rescue Services and Utility Companies.

SPECIAL OFFER

• TBC Conversions is offering attendees and CTA Members a free Fleet Review 

Find out more about TBC Conversions here.

Insurance

We are delighted to welcome the Business Choice Direct exhibition stand to today's event. BCD, along with WRS Insurance Brokers, was announced as the CTA insurance partner earlier this summer and is offering a host of charity and vehicle insurance products and services tailored for the community transport sector. 

You can find out more about Business Choice Direct and WRS Insurance Brokers here. 

Agenda 

We have an exciting and informative agenda lined up for you today with a mix of panels talks, presentations, a MiDAS quiz and the all important awards ceremony. 

11:00 - 11:10
Welcome, Victoria Armstrong, CTA 
& Lisa Cook, Hampshire CC

11:10 - 11:30 
John Taylor, TAS Partnership
History of MiDAS

11:30 - 11:45
Dylan Gallanders, Transformed MiDAS

11:45 – 12:15 
Meet the Training Centres Panel Talk

12:15 – 12:45
Transforming PATS and Accessible Panel Talk

12:45 – 13:00
Interactive MiDAS Quiz

13:00 – 14:00 
Lunch & Networking

14:00 – 15:00
Awards Ceremony

15:00 – 15:30
Final remarks, photographs and networking

Awards

MiDAS Driver of the Year Award 2024

MiDAS Organisation of the Year Award 2024 

Outstanding Contribution to MiDAS and the Community Transport Sector 

Outstanding Contribution to MiDAS

Thank you for joining us today. The CTA events team is always keen to hear your feedback so we can continually improve on our events offering. If you would like to share your thoughts on todays event, please email [email protected].