Jan Drenth is the fleet manager for South West Community Transport, which is a non profit organisation that provides transport for the frail aged, younger people with a disability and their carers. Jan, who also gets behind the wheel two-three days a week, gets in the hot seat to answers the questions in this instalment of South West Voice Business Q&A:
How does South West Community Transport operate?
We have 23 vehicles out on the road on any given day in the Macarthur and Liverpool LGAs. We transport anywhere between Fairfield and the Wollondilly area, as well as “out of area’’ transport to hospitals and medical appointments in Sydney, Westmead and Royal Prince Alfred, to name just a few. We also have recently expanded our business to provide evening outings, as well as weekend socials and overnight “away’’ trips. Also we have a weekend “on demand” service at this stage utilising taxis.
Three business lessons?
· Staff is your best asset in business
· Honesty is the best policy.
· Under promise and over deliver
What are your crowning achievements? The kinds of things that you can look back at and gauge how well you have done:
I was actively involved in The Rotaract Club of Liverpool West in the 1980s, on the board from the first day, and holding virtually every board position at some stage, including president. My “presidential project’’ was supplying a Thermoform machine for The Royal Blind Society. (Something like a photocopier for Braille text, at the time valued at over $1000).
More recently have been a member of The Rotary Club of Macarthur Sunrise. I was a member for about four 4 years, had a break of about two years due to work commitments, but I have recently re-joined. One of our successful projects is “discobility”, a disco for adults with disabilities. This is a popular event, run four times a year, and closely aligned with the type of work that I do.
Facilitated and successfully ran a school reunion for primary school classes of 1964 – 1967 in 1992 (a 25 year reunion)
What do you listen to while you work?
When driving, I like to communicate with our clients. We have some very interesting people. If there are no clients on board, I like to listen to the vehicle radio, mainly Kiis106.5
What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else? What’s your secret?
Just being me! I know me better than everyone else!
Best advice you ever received?
Leave work problems at work, and home problems at home.
♦ Contact details for South West Community Transport Inc:
PO Box 5099, Minto, 2566
Client Booking / Enquiries Ph: (02) 9426 8999
Administration Ph: (02) 9603 2106
Fax: (02) 9426 8900
Email: fleetmanager@swct.com.au
Website: http://www.swct.com.au
Or check out South West Community Transport on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/South-West-Community-Transport/678988065454367
Instagram: http://instagram.com/southwest_communitytransport
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SWCT3
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf84jrV2cDYlewowAogNBRw
