Lincolnshire community transport

County advice overview

Community transport services in Lincolnshire include the Call Connect, Connect Bus and Dial-a-Ride schemes. 

They 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.

Call Connect is a county-wide community bus offering a bookable service. Connect Bus is part of the Call Connect network, with a bookable service that connects Bourne, Stamford and Peterborough. 

Concessionary bus passes can be used for journeys. Details can be found on the Lincs Bus website.

There are also several voluntary car schemes operating throughout Lincolnshire.

Key tips

Give yourself plenty of time to plan your journey. You may wish to consider:

• Many community transport schemes require you to register beforehand to use the service. 
• Try to book journeys in advance. Services are often run by volunteers who will try their best to accommodate your requirements.
• At the time of booking, inform the travel provider of any mobility and accessibility needs you may have.
• Concessionary bus passes are usually accepted but you may wish to ask about fares in advance.
• Do you wish to take mobility equipment with you? It may be possible to hire a wheelchair or scooter, for example, once you have reached your destination – from an organisation such as ShopMobility.

Remember, your local Hubs Mobility Advice Service will be happy to help signpost you to the correct community transport operator and organisations.

Regional Operators

CallConnect

Areas covered: Lincolnshire and neighbouring counties.

Provides an on-demand, bookable bus service and timetabled bus services. You must be a member to use the service and it is free to register. Journeys can then be booked by phone, from one hours’ notice up to seven days in advance.

Concessionary bus passes are accepted for travel. CallConnect operates Monday to Saturday service with fully accessible vehicles.

Contact: 0345 234 3344

Further details can be found on the Lincs Bus website.

ConnectBus

Areas covered: South West Lincolnshire, East Northamptonshire, East Rutland and Peterborough.

A bookable and timetabled bus service.  

Contact: 0345 263 8153

Further details can be found on the Lincs Bus website.

Lincoln Dial-a-Ride

Areas covered: within a 6-mile radius of Lincoln city centre 

Lincoln Dial-a-Ride provides fully accessible transport for the local community. Passengers must register at a cost of £20. There is a journey price per mile of £1.50, with a minimum distance of 3 miles charged. 

Operates: Monday to Saturday, 8.30am – 4.15pm and Monday to Friday, 6.30pm – 9.45pm. 
Closed Bank Holidays.

Contact: 01522 544983

Further details can be found on the Lincoln Dial-a-Ride website.

Stamford Christchurch Community Transport

Areas covered: villages in the Stamford area, includes east of Rutland. 

A door-to-door personal transport service. A £5 annual individual membership is required or £15 for a group membership. Contact the service provider to check if journeys cover a specific postcode. 

Contact: 01780 482380 or email transportscheme@christchurchstamford.com

Further information can be found on the Rutland Information Service website. 

Boston Community Transport

Areas covered: Boston and surrounding counties 

Provides a door-to-door car service for anyone without personal transport. Seven days a week. Membership is required at £12 per year. Passengers are charged 60p per mile for journeys.

Contact: 01205 360183 or email office@bostonct.org.uk

Further information can be found on the Boston Community Transport website. 

Grantham Area Community Transport

Areas covered: Grantham and surrounding areas.

A local transport scheme for medical and other appointments. Passengers are charged 50p per mile with a minimum charge of £3.00.

Longer distance trips can include Boston, Leicester, Lincoln, Peterborough and Nottingham.

Contact: 01476 978916 or email gact@Granthamact.co.uk

For details, including accessibility requirements, visit the Grantham Area Community Transport website. www.granthamact.co.uk/    

Voluntary car schemes

Healthwatch Lincolnshire provides a list of voluntary car schemes operating within the county of Lincolnshire.

North Lincolnshire Voluntary Car Service 

Areas covered: within and beyond North Lincolnshire.

Volunteer drivers, using their own cars, provide passenger journeys to, for example, hospitals, doctor’s surgeries, local shops, community group meetings, day centres.

Volunteers will normally wait with passengers at their destination for around 90 minutes. Passengers are charged 45p per mile.

Contact 01652 637700 or email info@hwrcc.org.uk

Further information be found here.

South Holland Voluntary Car Schemes 

Services are provided by individual parishes within the South Holland district.

Contact details:

• Crowland: 01733 211797
• Holbeach: 01406 422791
• Long Sutton, Gedney, Sutton St James and Lutton: 01406 366820
• Pinchbeck: 01775 766171 (Monday to Friday, 10.00am – 2.00pm)
• Sutton Bridge: 01406 364338
• Spalding and Cowbit: 01775 421146 
• Moulton, Weston and Whaplode: 01775 719290

The Deepings Practice Voluntary Car Scheme 

For residents of the Deepings and surrounding villages who are members of the Deepings Practice. 

Contact 07858 373912. 2.00pm – 4.00pm, Monday-Friday. 

Donnington Car Scheme

Passengers pay 35p per mile for journeys. (The full cost is 45p but 10p is subsidised by the Donnington voluntary care services.)

Contact: 07598 924308

Gainsborough Community Wheels 

A wheelchair-accessible vehicle is available. Transport is provided to and from medical appointments.

Contact: 01427 611441. Monday, Wednesday, Friday. 10.00am – 3.00pm.

Travel costs

Community transport costs can vary depending on the service provided. 

Many schemes are run by not-for-profit organisations and only charge based on their actual operating costs. So, the fare you pay will be competitive with public transport costs in most cases. Fares are much cheaper than taxis and there is sometimes a reduced rate for bus pass holders.

Check with the individual provider when booking your trip, or browse their website, to receive an estimate of costs.

Special assistance

Assistance is variable for each service. Information can be found on an operator’s website or by contacting them by telephone.

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 are wheelchair accessible, although may have limited capacity for wheelchairs. 

Voluntary car schemes often require passengers to be able to transfer independently. Some can stow foldable wheelchairs and aids.