There are a range of community transport schemes and services throughout Suffolk to help older people get out and about. If public transport seems a bit daunting and there isn’t a suitable taxi service, we have listed some great options to help get your elderly relative from A to B.
If you are looking for Patient Transport Services in Suffolk, follow this link.
Find a Helper to assist with transport and getting you out and about with Good Life Sorted
Good Life Sorted will introduce you to a local Helper to take on any tasks you might need help with from companionship to cooking, from light cleaning to running errands.
Dial-a-Ride Services in Suffolk for the Elderly
Go START Community Transport - Sudbury, Ipswich
GoStart has a fleet of accessible vehicles offering a low-cost, door-to-door transport service within a 8-mile radius of the centre of Sudbury. You will have to book up to 7-days in advance either by email or telephone.
Their low-cost, demand-led transport services are available for anyone in the Sudbury area who satisfies any one of the following criteria:
- Of pensionable age
- Disabled or with restricted mobility
- Isolated by virtue of location or circumstances
- Unable to access existing public transport
- Telephone: 01787 242116
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Coastal Accessible Transport Service
CATS operates a variety of services throughout the Leiston, Saxmundham, Aldeburgh, Framlingham, Woodbridge & surrounding villages areas. Dial-A-Ride is a door-to-door minibus service that acts as a replacement for public transport for those with impaired mobility, frailty or rural isolation.
You need to be a member to access this service (call to find out more). Community Car Service is a door-to-door service offered by volunteers using their own car to help people to where they need to go.
See the services that are available here, for more information and details on costs.
- Telephone: 01728 830516
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Driving Miss Daisy - Ipswich, Newmarket
A national service that operates out of two hubs in Suffolk: Ipswich and Newmarket. Their drivers are first-aid trained and safety checked and can take your relative on any trips they may need, while also helping with shopping assistance or accompanying on outings. Journeys are costed on a trip-by-trip basis. Call them up to book.
- Telephone: 0333 0146211
- Visit Website
Out and About Private Hire - Felixstowe
Operating in Felixstowe, Out and About has wheelchair-accessible vehicles for journeys of all kinds, whether it be hospital or doctor appointments, a weekly shop or for longer journeys. It is a paid service. All their drivers are trained in first aid, dementia friendly and DBS checked. Telephone in advance to book.
- Telephone: 07421 774385
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Voluntary Car Share Schemes Across Suffolk
Good Neighbour Schemes
Good Neighbour Network Schemes operate across the UK and extend well beyond just a community transport provider. Relying on volunteers in local communities, Good Neighbour schemes can help with any reasonable request from helping with shopping to just getting from A to B – the idea is for members within communities to help each other.
There are many hubs throughout Suffolk, not all of which can offer transport. However, as there are so many, we recommend contacting the second nearest hub if your closest network is unable to help you with your transport needs. This is a free service, but it is generally expected that the user reimburse the volunteer for any motoring costs.
You can find a list of Good Neighbour Networks on their website.
BACT Community Transport - Waveney
BACT is another service that works with volunteers to provide transport for people struggling with mobility and operates in the Waveney Area. In addition to a fare-per-ride, they ask for a yearly registration cost of £15 to help cover the costs of the service. You can make an online request for transport or call for more information.
- Telephone: 01986 896896
- Visit Website
Community Bus Transport in Suffolk for the Elderly
Suffolk Connecting Communities
This is a Suffolk County Council run scheme with a goal to connect those without a suitable public transport connection to one, or in some cases all the way to their end destination. To keep costs to a minimum, volunteers can help people to medical appointments, to meet friends, or anywhere else the user might need to go. To book, you can make an online journey request. Prices are costed based on average bus fare prices for a journey of equal distance in the area.
Find your local operator through the Connecting Communities Website
