Some 29% of the Biscayan organisation’s fleet of minibuses has left the Integralia factory.
“Eradicating the elements that generate handicaps and prevent the equal social participation of people with disabilities”, that is the aim of BIDAIDEAK. At the head of the association, Txema Alonso (Madrid, 1960) coordinates the different areas of action, including an area of adapted transport, ATERIK-ATE.
In 1989 you started a project with the aim of helping people with disabilities to stop being excluded by means of advanced collaborative proposals. How did it begin?
In the first founding meetings of Bidaideak we debated until the early hours of the morning with the aim of changing the world, all of us involved aspired to have a project with this commitment.
How has the organisation grown?
The association is growing slowly, depending on the resources it has at its disposal to carry out projects. But, in general, we can say that it has grown year by year in all parameters: members, users and employees.
Any figures to understand the magnitude of the project?
Yes, we have two very interesting ones: 530,000 people used our vehicles to get around in 2023. In total, we have a fleet of 93 vehicles, 26% of which are Made in Integralia. It is hard to believe the evolution when the first designs were 100% Bidaideak. At that time there was nothing adapted in circulation and few bodybuilders knew anything about accessibility. The first engineers were our own users.
What is the most complicated part of managing this scale?
Undoubtedly, matching the growing demand for services with the actual capacity of the entity.
The drivers of the vehicles are an important cog in the wheel of your chain because they are the ones who have to collect people from their homes to make the transfers, what distinguishes a good driver? We are dedicated almost exclusively to transporting people with some degree of dependency, so our differential plus is that we are part of a chain of care. Cordiality and the ability to empathise with people and their relatives is a determining factor.
You consider Integralia to be one of your trusted suppliers, what do you value about the company?
His seriousness, his personal approach, his ability to listen and his capacity to redefine projects according to the client’s needs.
How do you see the future of the sector?
The demand for services for people with dependent mobility is growing, as are the institutions and centres that provide them. We can confirm that this is a consolidated and expanding niche activity.
A MINIBUS TRIP WITH TXEMA ALONSO
Which part of the company contacts you the most?
We are a very horizontal association of workers and users and the contact is permanent with both.
You will often need a good dose of calm and tranquillity in your day-to-day life. How do you acquire patience?
The years undoubtedly give you a certain amount of experience when it comes to dealing with the saturation and stress involved in organising an on-demand service such as ours. But many times you have to take a deep breath and get some air out of the office…
Did the mistakes help you?
They have served me and they serve me; in many areas of life, they are the only guide you have. Not to mess up again is a functional objective in any management position.
What is luxury in passenger transport?
Undoubtedly, your satisfaction. Sometimes it has to do with the means at your disposal, but usually it is the attention with which you provide the service.
What do you spend your time doing and what are your hobbies?
I chair the association’s Paralympic sports club and there is not a weekend that goes by that I don’t dedicate hours to it. Apart from that, reading is what I am most passionate about.
What is your favourite work tool?
Preferred or not, it is the computer. Desktop or laptop, I spend hours in front of it.
Do you have any surprising skills?
Maybe have a good dose of amends when I mess something up.
A phrase that you like and that guides you in life?
Do good and don’t look at whom.
Can you recommend a recipe?
Cod with ajoarriero cod with many spoons to share.
What drink would you pair it with?
A Rioja red wine.
Your favourite technological gadget?
The mobile phone is now almost integrated into my body.
What would you like to invent?
A pill for human sanity.
Can you recommend a series?
Black Mirror
Where do you like to sit in a minibus? When I was a kid, I used to look for the last bench, where the hooligans were. Now I always sit near the driver.
Which film would you put on the trip?
Life is beautiful by Roberto Benigni.
And what would you eat during the journey?
My mother’s potato omelette sandwich. Without a doubt, the best of the best.
What song accompanies you?
On the tourning away’, a Pink Floyd classic.
What do you do during the journey?
Whenever I can, I read.
Any pending destinations?
Many, but I would not want to miss Rajasthan once in my life.