Community Transport Schemes are for older people who are unable to access or use public transport. These schemes are also useful if the journey is not one that is applicable for Cambridgeshire patient transport services.
Community Transport Schemes are usually run as a membership scheme, in addition to charging a small fare per journey (similar to a bus fare). Here, Age Space provides all the information that you need to find a Dial-a-Ride or Voluntary Car Share scheme in any area across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Cambridgeshire County Council’s transport page also has information on these schemes (not including Peterborough).
If you are looking for transport to an elderly day care centre in Cambridgeshire, it is worth contacting them to ask if they run a transport service specifically for their guests.
Dial-a-Ride Services in Cambridgeshire
Dial-a-Ride services are pre-timetabled journeys by minibuses that transport people between towns, villages, day care centres, GPs, hospitals and more. They work by booking the ride in advance (usually 48hrs) with a time, home address and desired destination; this might be a friends house, day care centre or other. The scheme will do its best to accommodate these requirements, while also sticking to the route and providing a similar service to other passengers. These journeys will always be door-to-door if possible, to best ensure the safety of its users.
Most Dial-a-Ride services are able to accommodate wheelchair users and escorts – remember to mention this when booking. Dial-a-Ride schemes almost always require users of their scheme to be members, paying a small, yearly fee, in addition to a small fare per journey. Users with a Cambridge County Council Bus Pass will be able to travel for a discounted fare or sometimes for free. Find out about Dial-a-Ride Community Transport Schemes in the following areas.
Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire
Cambridge Dial-a-Ride
Daily service for city residents; this weekly, fortnightly or monthly service into the city from South Cambridgeshire Parishes. The service also offers trips to certain supermarkets on designated days. Book over the phone in advance.
- Membership Cost: £10.00 per year, call to request a Membership Application
- Telephone: 01223 506335
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
East Cambridgeshire
Residents in Bottisham, Burwell, Lode, Quy, and The Swaffhams can also use the Cambridge Dial-a-Ride service listed above.
Voluntary Network Dial-a-Ride
Monday to Friday (8:30am – 4:30pm). Dial-a-Ride into Newmarket and Forest Heath districts, including Ashley, Bottisham, Brinkley, Burrough Green, Burwell, Carlton, Cheveley, Chippenham, Dullingham, Fordham, Kennett, Kirtling, Lode, Reach, Snailwell, Stetchworth, the Swaffhams, West Wratting, Westley Waterless, Weston Colville and Woodditton.
- Membership Cost: £15 per year + a small fare per journey.
- Telephone: 01638 664304
- Visit Website
Fenland
Fenland Association for Community Transport Ltd. (FACT)
Weekday service throughout the Fenland area that can be pre-booked for rides to appointments and visits to friends. Serving Benwich, Christchurch, Doddington, Elm, Gorefield, Leverington, Manea, March, Newton, Parson Drove, the Tydds, Whittlesey, Wimblington, Wisbech and Wisbech St. Mary.
- Call to request a Membership Application.
- Telephone: 01354 661 234
- Visit Website
Peterborough
Community Link
- Services: Door-to-door service from the members home into the city centre. Free with a valid council bus pass. Book 48hrs in advance.
- Membership: £5 per year. Call to request a Membership Application.
- Telephone: 01733 425400 (9:00am - 5:00pm)
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Voluntary Car Schemes in Cambridgeshire
Voluntary Car Schemes are organised on a journey-by-journey basis and are not timetabled. As the name suggests, these services rely on volunteers being available in each town and so might be best used for shorter journeys. Some schemes ask for a small contribution per ride towards operating costs.
To find Voluntary Car Schemes, of which there are many, go to the Cambridgeshire County Council website and select a district from the leaflets. As journeys are usually shorter, there is often a scheme set up in each town or village. Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire are grouped together.
Peterborough
As Peterborough is not included on the Cambridgeshire County Council’s overview of Voluntary Car Schemes, we have provided the information for you below.
RVS Community Car Scheme
The Royal Voluntary Service organises the majority of the voluntary services in Peterborough. This includes social events and on-ward services, but also the community transport network within the council boundaries. The service is usually used for journeys to GP appointments, or to the hospital, but it can also be used for social activities, shopping or to go to town.
They require you to book 24-48 hours in advance, and journeys do cost a small fee, which is still much cheaper than a taxi. Call 01733 307 304 or visit the RVS Website to get access to this service.
Shop-Mobility Schemes in Cambridgeshire
Shopmobility Schemes are places that lend personal mobility options like manual wheelchairs or powered scooters to people who need them to help them visit places in town centres, like shopping centres. Some schemes require an annual fee and that booking be done in advance; often vehicles are limited so booking early is recommended.
Cambridge City
Grand Arcade Shopping Centre
- Address: Grand Arcade, St Andrew's Street, CB2 3BJ
- Telephone: 01223 457452
Grafton Centre
- Address: 46 Grafton Centre, CB1 1PS
- Telephone: 01223 461858
East Cambridgeshire
Ely
- Address: Ely Shopmobility, Ely Museum, the Old Gaol, Market Street, Ely, CB7 4LS
- Telephone: 01353 666 655
Newmarket
- Address: Newmarket Shopmobility, Customer Information office, The Guineas Shopping Centre, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8EQ
- Telephone: 01638 661216
Huntingdonshire
- Address: Huntingdon Shopmobility, Princes Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3PA
- Telephone: 01480 432 793
- Email: [email protected]
Peterborough
- Address: Peterborough Shopmobility, PCVS, 3 Lincoln Court, Lincoln Road, PE1 2RP
- Queensgate Shopping Centre: 01733 313 133
- Email: [email protected]
