By Day A Bus Driver, By Night A Drag Queen – James Starts Excursion Business

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Buffay Travel: A New Bus Service for the Elderly in York

In York, local business owners are aiming to enhance the lives of elderly residents living in care homes through their new venture.

About the Founders

James Massie, born in York, along with his partners Chris and Michael, has just started Buffay Travel. This new transport service is specially designed for elderly individuals. Interestingly, James also has a career as a drag performer known as Queenie Buffay.

James is part of a popular drag duo called Crystal and Queenie. They host a radio show every Wednesday in Wakefield and perform across Yorkshire, engaging audiences with quiz nights, music events, and cabarets.

The Inspiration Behind Buffay Travel

The idea for Buffay Travel came from Chris’s experience with his grandmother, Janet, who battled loneliness and isolation due to dementia. Janet, who resides in Hemsworth, often went on day trips, but many of the destinations were not ideal.

The inspiration behind the business – Janet. Photograph: Buffay Travel

James shared, “We jokingly said we could probably do better than that. The group needs to visit nice places, such as garden center cafes or beautiful parks.” This light-hearted conversation led to serious discussions about how they could make a difference.

Creating Engaging Day Trips

In January, the team began planning Buffay Travel, with a primary goal of organizing entertaining day trips that would help combat social isolation among the elderly. They aim to establish connections with as many care homes and assisted living facilities in and around York as possible.

Logistics and Commitment

To facilitate their mission, they have acquired a 17-seater bus and have reached out to nearly 30 care homes in the area. James noted that there’s still a significant number of homes to contact, which has kept them busy.

“I still have about 40 more homes to reach out to. It’s been a hectic couple of weeks,” he mentioned.

This business model is not highly lucrative, which makes it unique in the current transport service landscape. James added, “We’ve received an amazing response from care home managers who say this service is exactly what they need.”

Affordable Transportation Solutions

To ensure that Buffay Travel remains affordable, the team plans to offer airport transfers as part of their services. James explained that managing costs in this kind of business can be challenging.

“The expenses can be overwhelming; we’ve learned that through experience. We have our first airport transfer scheduled for Friday just to keep the business running,” he shared. This understanding also sheds light on why many companies hesitate to venture into this field.

Future Dreams and Goals

Looking ahead, James envisions Buffay Travel expanding into a dedicated bus service for York and even establishing routes to nearby areas like Selby and Garforth. He expressed, “We’re not looking to change the world dramatically; we just want to offer pleasant trips, scenic drives, and visits to lovely places such as garden centers and nice restaurants.”

The ultimate goal is to enhance the well-being of elderly locals through enjoyable bus journeys, helping to make their lives more fulfilling.