Hiyacar announces partnership with NHS Trust in Norfolk

Hiyacar are launching a new partnership with Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust (NCH&C) to help reduce its cost base by increasing the utilisation of vehicles through Hiyacar’s pool car solution.

NCH&C tendered for a pool car solution separate to vehicle supply, with a view to reducing the overall fleet size by increasing utilisation, to reduce overall costs.

The pool car solution will provide community nurses and other members of staff at the trust with an app-based booking platform, which enables drivers to reserve pooled vehicles at various sites around the region.

Drivers can access vehicles using Hiyacar’s QuickStart keyless technology via smartphone or through NFC cards.

Samuel Dewhurst, transport manager at NCHC, said: “We looked across the market to find a customer focused solution that provided efficiencies for our pool car fleet.

“We needed a tailored solution built by a supplier that could understand the importance and nuances of the work our community nurses and staff do. Hiyacar fit that bill.”

Vehicles for the partnership will be provided by Knowles Fleet and will be fitted with the solution and placed at sites around the region, allowing teams across NCH&C to access a greater number of vehicles, Hiyacar said.

It will also ensure that teams have dedicated access to a subset of vehicles to respond immediately, in case of a crisis.

Graeme Risby, co-founder of Hiyacar, said: “Having provided key workers with free car hire throughout the pandemic, we are delighted that we can now continue to provide our solution to the NHS long term.”