Wiltshire Community transport 

County advice overview

Community transport in Wiltshire 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.

Useful information can be obtained from the Community First and Connecting Wiltshire websites.

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

There are over 20 Community Minibus groups in Wiltshire and Swindon. For a comprehensive list and to search your local service, visit the Community First website.

Selected community transport operators include:

Swindon Dial A Ride

www.dialarideswindon.org.uk

Covering the Borough of Swindon and Purton, Lydiard and Broad Hinton. 

Services can be used for hospital appointments at Great Western Hospital in Swindon and hospitals in Bath or Oxford, for example. Journeys to airports or holiday destinations may be arranged subject to driver availability. Operates 9.00am – 4.30pm, Monday – Friday. 

You will need to register before booking. 

Contact: 01793 616050 or transport@dialarideswindon.org.uk

Swindon Dial A Ride Shopperbus Service

www.dialarideswindon.org.uk

The Shopperbus service provides door-to-door, wheelchair-accessible transport for people of all ages with limited mobility who are unable to use ordinary buses. The driver can assist you on or off the bus.  Weekly services include supermarket and shopping centre visits. 

Community Transport South Wiltshire (CTSW)

wiltshiretogether.org.uk

Door-to-door accessible minibus “Shopper” services, to the Salisbury Centre, ShopMobility and major superstores. Registration is required for the service. Bus passes are accepted.

Contact: 01722 414566 or ctswsalisbury@outlook.com

Calne Community Transport

www.calnecommunitytransport.com

Wheelchair-accessible vehicles and minibuses for hospital trips, lunch groups and special trips in Calne and surrounding areas. 

Contact: 07493 055788 or calnecommunitytransport@mail.com

Chippenham and District Transport for the Disabled Society

adults.wiltshire.gov.uk

Transport for the elderly, disabled and community groups with fully accessible minibuses for wheelchair users. Covers Chippenham and Corsham. 

Contact: 01249 654625 or 07944 474417

Combine Community Bus

adults.wiltshire.gov.uk

Covers Devizes and Salisbury. Bus passes are accepted.

Contact: 01380 840302

Haydon Wick Parish Council Community Transport

haydonwick.gov.uk

Door to door community bus for elderly or disabled people in the parish.

Contact: 01793 722446

Kennet Community Transport

www.facebook.com/Kennetcommunitytransport

Wheelchair-accessible minibus services for people with disabilities, older people and community groups in East Kennet.

Contact: 01672 519067

Malmesbury and District Community Transport

malmesburyanddistrictcommunitytransport.weebly.com

Accessible, affordable transport for elderly and often vulnerable individuals in Malmesbury and neighbouring villages.

Contact: 01666 822143

Ramsbury Community Bus

ramsburyflyer.org

Services include hospital trips, day trips and trips to Newbury, Marlborough and Hungerford.

Contact 01672 520555

Seend Community Bus (Seend Shuttle)

www.seend.org.uk

Covers Bromham, Seend and Seend Cleeve. 

Contact: 01380 828568

TISBUS

tisbus.co.uk

Affordable door-to-door, wheelchair accessible transport in the Tisbury and Nadder Valley region.

Contact: 07500 802525

Akcess

www.akcess.info

Assisted and wheelchair passenger transport in and around Swindon, Wiltshire, Dorset and Gloucestershire. 

Contact: 01793 855550 or info@akcess.co.uk

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.