West Midlands Community transport 

County advice overview

Community transport in the West Midlands helps to connect residents without access to conventional transport to surrounding areas.

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.

The Ring and Ride scheme provides a bookable service for people who have problems accessing public transport in urban areas. You must be resident in one of six West Midlands districts.

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

Ring and Ride

ringandride.org

If you live in the urban areas of the West Midlands and find it difficult to use normal public transport, you can use the Ring and Ride door-to-door transport service. This is available to help you with commuting, visiting friends, shopping, and leisure activities. You can use this service in any of the areas listed below: 

• Birmingham
• Dudley
• Sandwell
• Solihull
• Walsall
• Wolverhampton

You will need to register and book before you travel. Contact: 0330 053 8141

Please note, the Coventry area is now covered by West Midlands Bus on Demand.

West Midlands Bus on Demand (Coventry)

www.tfwm.org.uk

Book a minibus to pick you up at a certain time and place. It can be used by anyone travelling in Coventry and the surrounding areas. 

Contact: 0345 034 8670 to register for this service.

Shencare Community Transport 

shencare.org.uk

An accessible, door to door, escorted passenger transport service for community groups, elderly people and those with mobility issues who live mainly in the Southwest Birmingham area. 

Contact: 0121 476 1816

CT Passenger services

Provide transport services across the West Midlands, with wheelchair-accessible minibuses for those with physical disabilities or for anyone who finds it difficult using other means of transport. 

• CT Passenger Birmingham
• CT Passenger Coventry
• CT Passenger Wolverhampton 

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.

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

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.