It is my understanding that with the massive withdrawl of bus service due to cuts, there is funding available for local communities to fund local bus projects / shared taxi services, there are some problems with this:
1) Small bus schemes, using Council owned minibus often requires the driver to have MiDAS training.
2) Community bus schmes often rely heavily on volunteer labour on an ad hoc basis, regular services would need employed staff.
3) Since 1997 new drivers (passing car test post Feb 97 are only licenced to drive up to 8 passenger seats (MPVs) unless they have took a further D1 driving test, this requires a full medical.
4) Drivers that have took this further test often have a 101 restriction (not for hire or reward). When I enquired into taking a MiDAS course, the council asked me if I had a 101 restriction, when I said no as I had full category D entitlement and drove for hire / reward as a profession, I was tolds "I'm sorry but the rules state you must have a 101 restriction on your licence." I few phone calls later sorted this out for me. But if they cant drive for hire or reward then I understand they cannot take fares.
There is schemes existed in the past where the Council run demand response schemes following a set route out of a town, and then roaming which are advantagous to communities, but these are often run by PCV operators with appropriately qualified drivers.