Thank you for your continued support of MCVT.
Board Members
As a reminder the following are the current elected Trustees for the 2025/2026 year.
Quentin Doig (Chairperson), John Aldridge (Treasurer), Peter Watt and Wendy Duffy, (Deputy Chairpersons), Virginia Taylor (Secretary), Barbara Climo (Operations Coordinator), Diane Payton, Ailsa Carey, Judy Neil, Shirley Phillips.
Recent Board Activity Decisions
The Board has made the following decisions this year for your information:
- The Board agreed to investigate the installation of a GPS tracker in our cars as an additional safety benefit for our drivers particularly for when vehicles are travelling in remote areas.
- Board representatives ran successful displays at three expos in February and March, namely the Seniors Expo, Rural Expo and Rai Valley A & P show which resulted in the recruitment of members and drivers.
- MCVT continue to support Alzheimers Marlborough by transporting one passenger from Picton to Blenheim and return twice a week so that the passenger can attend support programmes. We have decided to provide transport support to members wishing to attend Falls Prevention programmes.
- We are closely monitoring the impact of fuel increases on our monthly expenses. Return trips to Nelson are now costing an extra $12. Our last fare increase was more than three years ago, when we moved to $60 return trips to Nelson and $30 return between Picton and Blenheim. If the high cost of fuel continues, we may need to raise our fares, but the Board has agreed to absorb the increases for now and to review this again at our June Board meeting.
- Just a reminder that the MCVT website is regularly updated, but it would be great to include feedback from our passengers. Please encourage your passengers to provide feedback by email to soundsvehicle@gmail.com.
Operations Updates
- Our membership continues to grow, with 19 new members joining us this year. Current membership is 553.
- The first quarter of this year has been very busy. We have exceeded 2025 numbers for January, February and March even though we are no longer doing the Nelson Dialysis run.
- We have 22 Blenheim based drivers, 1 in Seddon and 21 in Picton.
- A 12-volt vacuum has been placed in the boots of the Kona Ev and two Honda Vezel Hybrids. These operate by plugging them in to the 12-volt cigarette lighter point. We would appreciate assistance from drivers in cleaning up any food, pastry flakes and general dirt rather than leaving it for an Ops Team member to do.
- Barbara Climo regularly posts on the MCVT Facebook page which has resulted in attracting new clients and drivers. We are still short of Picton based drivers so any assistance you can provide in recruiting new drivers would be appreciated.
Replacement Car
The Trustees are mindful that one of our fleet vehicles, the 2016 Toyota Corolla based in Picton, has now exceeded 200,000 kms. We are actively raising funds to assist with its replacement. If any of you have any suggestions on any fundraising sources please contact one of the trustees mentioned above.
Drivers Mid-Year Function
The next Drivers Function will be held on Saturday 20th June 2026 at the Community Centre at Metlifecare Springlands Lifestyle Village, 5 Battys Road, Springlands commencing at 2 p.m. Please note that in your calendars and join us all for some afternoon tea.
MCVT BOARD MEETING DATES
All Board meetings are held at the Metlifecare Springlands Lifestyle Village community meeting room. You are welcome to attend should you wish to do so. Future meetings are scheduled as follows:
Board Meeting Saturday 20th June 2026 at 11:30 a.m.
Board Meeting Saturday 22 August 2026 at 11:00 a.m. followed by
AGM at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday 22 August 2026
Board Meeting Thursday 15th October 2026 at 11:30 a.m.
Board Meeting Saturday 28th November 2026 at 10:30 a.m. followed by
Drivers’ End of Year function at 12 noon on Saturday 28th November 2026
Best wishes for a safe and healthy winter period.
from
MCVT Trustees