Surrey community transport

County advice overview  

Most Surrey wards have community transport or Dial-a-Ride schemes. These are wheelchair accessible minibuses suitable for passengers who are unable to use public transport due to a disability or age-related condition. Most schemes operate a door-to-door service.

Some schemes require membership whilst others are funded by the local council. 

Many community car care schemes rely on volunteers and cannot always accommodate wheelchairs, so always check details at the time of booking.

Key tips

• It is recommended to always check a scheme’s eligibility criteria in advance of travel. 
• You normally will need to be a resident of that borough and will have to register with the scheme. 
• Some schemes apply a lower age limit and some also offer a free space for carers/companions. So do check in advance.
• Most schemes operate Monday- Friday but please check with the operator. 
• If you are using mobility equipment, it is advisable to check if they can accommodate it. Most buses will only have one wheelchair space.

Operators

Elmbridge Community Transport 

A Dial-a-Ride service within the borough, including weekly shopping trips to Cobham, Esher, Walton on Thames, and Weybridge.

Contact: 01372 474 944 or email commtransport@elmbridge.gov.uk

Buses operate Monday – Friday. There is an annual membership fee as well as fare costs. Transport can also be provided to the seven community wellbeing centres in the borough including Claygate and Hersham.

Epsom and Ewell – Transport from Home

Offer door-to-door transport in wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Shopping trips to Epsom, GP appointments and wellbeing centres in the borough. Can travel outside of the borough to hospitals in Leatherhead and Sutton. Membership fee and fares apply.

Contact: 01372 732000

Guildford Community Transport

Offer a Dial-a-Ride and door-to-door service. Offers transport to the Hive Centre, social trips, and shopping. Membership fees and fares apply.            

Contact: 01483 458055 or email: info.communityservices@guildford.gov.uk

Mole Valley Life

Community transport service providing door-to-door transport for those unable to access public transport. Includes travel to the Fairfield Centre in Leatherhead and for individual trips around the Borough.

Contact: 0300 1237749

Reigate and Banstead

There is not currently a community transport service. However, the Buses for U service provides door-to-door weekly shopping trips from Banstead to Reigate or Burgh Heath, and from Reigate area to Morrison’s Reigate. Buses are fully accessible.  

Register and book in advance. There is a fare each way. Surrey Bus Passes are not accepted.
Contact: 01883 701 270

Runnymede and Surrey Heath Community Transport

This service covers the two boroughs and includes Dial-a-Ride service, with shopping trips and trips to wellbeing centres available. You must register with the scheme and book in advance. Membership is free. Journey costs are calculated when you book, and you pay the driver.

Contact: 01932 425050 or email: communitytransport@runnymede.gov.uk

Spelthorne – Spelride Accessible Transport 

A door-to-door accessible transport service around the borough for shopping, social trips, GP’s, and day centres. There is an annual membership fee.

Contact: 01784 446411 or email: neighbourhoodservices@spelthorne.gov.uk

Tandridge Community Transport 

Contact: 01883 701 270

Open to Tandridge residents, this scheme includes travel across the ward and north of Redhill. Consists of Dial-a-Ride, 2 buses and a volunteer car scheme: 

North Tandridge Dial-a-Ride 

Covers any postcode within the Tandridge District but must be booked 7 days in advance (up to 21 days for hospital appointments). Available between 9:00am – 2:30pm. Will travel as far as East Surrey Hospital. 

For costs, please contact 01883 701 270.

North Tandridge Voluntary Car scheme

Covers Caterham and Tandridge areas but is reliant on volunteers. They cannot take wheelchairs. Trave includes shopping and therapy units. Drivers can wait up to 2 hrs whilst you have an appointment. 

For costs, please contact 01883 732 791.

Tandridge Buses for U

Cover Oxted and Caterham. There are 2 buses which are free if you have a concessionary bus pass.

Contact: 01883 701 270

East Surrey Dial-a-Ride

Door-to-door service using wheelchair-accessible minibuses. Open to residents in the CR3 & CR6 postcodes. Operates within the northern part of Tandridge District Council and to surrounding areas such as Coulsdon, Croydon (shopping trip Mondays only), Purley and Redhill. Plus, other places within a 7-mile radius of Caterham. 

The scheme operates on a pre-booked basis, provided the booking is made before 12.30pm on the day before you wish to travel. The service operates between 09.00am and 17.00pm, Monday to Friday. 

For costs, please contact 07766 234 408 or to book contact: 01883 349001 

Waverley Hoppa Community Transport

Operates four services in Godalming, Farnham, Cranleigh, Haslemere and surrounding areas. Provides door-to-door transport for shopping trips, and day centres.

Haslemere has a scheduled bus stop service and Farnham has a demand responsive travel service. Bookings should be made at least 24 hrs in advance, but membership is free. A couple of routes accept valid bus passes after 09.30am, otherwise ring to check fares.

The Haslemere and Godalming service provide a Hospital Hoppa for medical appointments in Guildford, Haslemere and Godalming, which includes the Royal Surrey Hospital.

Contact: 01428 681701

Woking Bustler Dial-a-Ride

Dial-a-Ride (Door-to-door within the Borough) to doctors, supermarkets, leisure centres. Includes St Peter’s Ashford & Royal Surrey Hospitals.

Allow a minimum of twenty-four hours in advance to booking for shopping. GP appointments can be booked up to one month in advance. You can be dropped off at Woking Civic offices, Peacock shopping centre, the library and day centres in the borough.

Also offer a Town Centre Buggy – for anyone with difficulty walking in the pedestrianised area of Woking town centre. It will drop you off at Woking Civic offices. Only operates Monday – Friday, 10:30am – 13:30pm.

Contact: 01483 724433

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 

Drivers and assistants will be trained and should be able to offer assistance accessing the bus. 

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 community transport schemes have 14-seater minibuses which will have a wheelchair space and either a ramp or a tail lift. 

This can also be used for people accessing the vehicle with a walker or zimmer frame.

If you are using a powered wheelchair or mobility scooter, please ring the Community Transport provider to ensure they can accommodate your equipment and safely secure it.