Gloucestershire Community transport

County advice overview

Community transport in Gloucestershire helps to connect residents without access to conventional transport and from isolated rural locations, to surrounding areas. It is provided by a mixture of charities, County Council funding and community groups.

Dial-a-Ride and Call and Go schemes provide a bookable service for people who have problems accessing public transport. For example, if you live too far from a bus stop, find it difficult getting on and off public buses, or there is no bus service nearby.

You do not need to be registered disabled or use a wheelchair to be eligible but must register for the service.

Most vehicles are wheelchair accessible, and details of routes, trips and prices can be obtained by contacting the provider.

Key tips

It is important to plan your use of community transport in advance. Services are often run by volunteers and pre-booking is essential. You may wish to consider:

• Community transport providers are often in high demand, so it is best to book your journey several days in advance if you can.
• You may need to register with the service in advance of your first booking and a membership fee sometimes applies in addition to travel costs.
• At the time of booking, inform the provider of any mobility and accessibility needs you may have and which equipment you intend to travel with. 
• Some operators offer a discount or are even free with a valid bus pass, so it is worth obtaining one, if you are eligible, even if you never catch a regular bus.
• Not all Dial-a-Ride schemes can take you to hospital appointments or day care centres. These appointments can be arranged by your doctor, the hospital, social services, or you may be able to use a community car scheme.
• Community car schemes are run by volunteers and the drivers will take you to hospital and doctor’s appointments and usually wait with you for your appointment. Some community car schemes can also take you to the shops or other destinations.

Operators

Lydney Dial-a-Ride 

A dial-a-ride scheme with 12 wheelchair-accessible minibuses. The service covers Lydney, Coleford, Cinderford and the surrounding area and is suitable for people who are elderly, frail, have a disability or use a wheelchair. Plus, anyone without access to public transport or a car. Services include trips to the shops, medical appointments, hairdressers, and library.

Annual membership costs and return fares apply.

Contact: 01594 843809 or dar@lydneydialaride.co.uk

Newent Dial-a Ride and Community Bus

Sheppard House provide a community bus service and dial-a-ride scheme which cover the North Forest area and surrounding villages and towns, for anyone with limited mobility. Services include shopping trips to Newent, Gloucester and Cinderford, as well as transport to medical appointments and social activities. 

The community bus will stop and pick up on request. The dial-a-ride bus services should be pre-booked on 01531 821227.

Services operate: 9.00am – 5.00pm, Monday – Friday.

The Newent Community Link Service (run by Newent Dial-a-Ride) operates like an ordinary bus service and includes routes 632, 676, 679 and 693. Scheduled times can be found online. 

The Villager

A scheduled community bus service with 6 buses operating 19 routes in rural parts of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire (supported by County Councils). Concessionary bus passes are accepted.

Buses run Monday to Friday, every week, on routes centred around Stow on the Wold, Chipping Norton, Moreton in Marsh, Burford, and Witney, serving their outlying villages. Timetables can be viewed here.

Some stops are by request only. You should call in advance, on 01451 832114, to ensure the driver is aware of the pick-up. 

The Chippy Shuttle additionally provides a weekday hourly service around Chipping Norton, 9.00am – 5.00pm. 

The Hedgehog

A scheduled community minibus service in the Cotswold, operated by volunteers.

Services are available to anyone from Chipping Campden, Mickleton and surrounding villages, to Stratford-upon-Avon, Evesham, and Moreton-in-Marsh. 

Each route includes access to a supermarket and the town centres. National concessionary bus passes are accepted.

You can view the timetables and routes here.

Contact: 01386 841849 or info@hedgehogbus.org

Travel costs

Most Community Transport Schemes require an annual membership fee. 

Some providers accept concessionary bus passes as payment for journeys. 

Others can only provide discounted transport for passengers with a bus pass and ask for a set fee per journey. 

Special assistance

Please check with your community transport provider as to which assistance they can offer you. Information can be found on the provider’s website or by contacting them by telephone.

Some services provide a care assistant who can help with shopping bags and see you to your door on the return journey.

When booking any community transport in your area, be clear about your mobility and check in advance that the service can accommodate your requirements.

Travelling with mobility equipment

Check with the individual community transport scheme regarding travelling with mobility equipment.

Services vary depending on the type and size of equipment that can be carried, due to space.  

Most minibuses will be able to take wheelchair users and may offer ramp or lift access. Some providers will require the make and model of your wheelchair before you travel, and others will accept mobility scooters.