Go to different parts of the voluntary transport listing by clicking on the local authorities above.
Voluntary Transport
There has been a considerable increase in the availability and convenience of accessible public transport in the recent past but there is, and always will be, a need for specialist transport providers for those situations where the use of public transport isn’t possible.
Voluntary transport schemes have developed over the years and fall into two main categories.
Dial-a-Ride
The most familiar are the Dial-a-Ride schemes. Using wheelchair accessible minibuses or people carriers they pick up their passengers from their homes so that they can access all the services needed to enjoy a full and independent life. This includes shopping, medical trips, and social visits. Indeed any journey that would otherwise be impossible.
Some schemes operate like taxi services, collecting all passengers from their homes. Others are more like buses, with set times for picking up from stops within a given locality, but will go direct to your home on request. The listed organisations provide one or more of these type of service.
Community Transport
Community Transport vehicle hire schemes provide transport to community groups in their area. They usually have minibuses, (sometimes people-carriers or cars), often with wheelchair access, that are available for community groups such as clubs and societies, religious organisations, scouts and guides etc. to use. This saves the groups concerned the cost of purchase and upkeep of a vehicle that they may only use infrequently. (Note that sometimes, ‘Community Transport’ refers to Dial-a-Ride type services).
Car Scheme
A third type of voluntary transport is the local car scheme. These schemes are mainly in rural areas serving a village or group of villages. Volunteer drivers using their own cars provide lifts to their neighbours who can no longer drive or have no car of their own.
Follow the links in the top menu to find the Dial-a-Ride, Community Transport or car scheme that covers your area.
