As we get older it can become more difficult to drive or use public transport. Fortunately, there is a great range of local community transport schemes and initiatives in Kent. These schemes are all very affordable and can help your elderly relative get to wherever they need to be.
If you are looking for patient transport services, take a look at Age Space’s dedicated guide to Patient Transport Services in Kent.
Dial-a-Ride Services in Kent
Kent Karrier
Kent Karrier is a dial-a-ride service that operates throughout all of Kent for people aged 85+. It is a membership scheme, meaning you must pay £5.00 a year to use the Kent Karrier, plus a small fare for each journey. Carers and companions can also use the service and do not need to be members, but non-carers will need to pay the small fare for each journey.
Each district has its own timetable and set locations that it serves, such as the town centre or large supermarkets. To find out about the timetable and routes for your area, you can download your local Kent Karrier leaflet here from the Kent County Council website.
SMILES - North West Kent
The SMILES Volunteer Transport Service is available to anyone in the Dartford, Gravesham and Sevenoaks districts. Volunteer drivers use their own cars to take members to medical appointments (for example clinic, hospital, doctor or optician appointments) in the area. They will also drive members to see family and friends, if possible. Membership is £18 per year.
You can get in touch over the phone on 01322 294 600 for more information.
IMAGO Dial2Drive - Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells
Imago Dial2Drive is a community transport scheme operating in Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas. The scheme exists for older or disabled people to be able to attend medical and social appointments, such as the doctor’s, day centres, hairdressers, or to do their shopping. It is a membership scheme, so there is an annual fee of £20, plus 70p per mile of the driver’s journey from start to finish.
- Telephone: 0300 777 1200
- Visit Website
Bexley Accessible Transport Scheme
Bexley Accessible Transport Scheme (BATS) serves quality, affordable and accessible community transport for Bexley and the surrounding areas, which includes a large amount of Kent. Their services are mainly available to those living in Bexley, Dartford, Bromley, Lewisham, Swanley, Orpington and the surrounding areas, but it’s worth getting in touch from anywhere in Kent as you may be able to arrange something!
BATS offer a range of services, including Dial-a-Ride, a bus service and day trips. For further information, you can visit the website or get in touch with them using the details provided below.
- Telephone: 01322 311333
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Kent Voluntary Car Share Schemes for the Elderly
Kent Coast Volunteering Transport Service, Dover, Thanet, Folkestone and Hythe
The Kent Coast Volunteering Transport Service is available for medical and social journeys, such as appointments, visiting family or doing the shopping. There is a yearly membership fee of £25, plus an additional cost of 50p per mile and small admin charge.
For further details you can visit the website or get in touch using the details provided below.
- Telephone: 01304 380513
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Involve Community Transport, Maidstone and Malling
Involve Community Transport helps people living in Maidstone and Malling to reach all of their medical and social appointments, in Kent or beyond, with their DBS checked volunteer drivers. Journeys cost £4 for a standard booking, plus 50p per mile.
For further details you can visit the website or get in touch using the details provided below.
- Telephone: 03000 810005
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Ashford Volunteer Car Scheme
The Ashford Volunteer Car scheme aims to help people in Ashford who find it difficult to use public transport. The scheme can assist the elderly to get to their health appointments and shopping trips or social excursions, where possible.
For further details you can visit the website or get in touch using the details provided below.
- Telephone: 01233 665535
- Visit Website
Community Car Service, Tunbridge Wells
The Community Car Service provides assistance to people in and around the Tunbridge Wells area who need assistance getting somewhere, including to appointments, day centres and shopping trips. All of their drivers have enhanced DBS checks.
For further details you can visit the website or get in touch using the details provided below.
- Telephone: 01892 511 627
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Edenbridge Voluntary Transport Service
The Edenbridge Voluntary Transport Service exists to help people in Edenbridge who have difficulty travelling get to their medical appointments.
For further details you can visit the website or get in touch using the details provided below.
- Telephone: 01732 865353
- Visit Website
Herne Bay Volunteer Centre Transport Service
The Herne Bay Volunteer Centre operates a transport service utilising volunteer drivers to transport local people to and from their medical and social appointments. There is a £15.00 yearly membership fee plus 45p per mile and £3.00 per return trip.
- Telephone: 01227 743700
- Visit Website
Swale Volunteer Car Scheme
The Swale Community and Voluntary Service runs the Swale Volunteer Transport Scheme that helps local residents to reach their essential appointments such as the doctor, dentist and hospital. There is an initial registration fee of £30, followed by an annual fee of £25 per person, plus 50p per mile.
- Telephone: 01795 473828
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Whitstable Volunteer Car Service
The Whitstable Volunteer Car Service, run by Red Zebra, helps to enable people over 50 who find public transport challenging to attend essential healthcare appointments and social meetings where possible. All of their volunteer drivers are DBS checked. There is an annual membership registration fee of £14 per person, or £20 for a couple.
- Telephone: 01227 262313
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
