DPTAC: Door to Door - a travel guide for disabled people

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Despite the increasing availability of accessible public transport, some disabled people still need to use door-to-door transport services because of the severity of their mobility impairment or because they live in areas with limited public transport services.

The main providers of such transport have traditionally been voluntary groups. Some of these schemes have grown into organisations now operated by paid staff as community-based operations often paid for by local councils. The Community Transport Association (CTA), is the national representative body for the non-profit transport sector which also runs an advice and information service. You can find out more about the Community Transport Association at: www.ctauk.org.

Community transport schemes fall into two main types:

Group hire
The term 'community transport' usually refers to an organisation set up to provide local community groups with vehicles for hire, saving the individual groups the expense of buying and running a vehicle of their own. The vehicles are usually minibuses that are often wheelchair accessible. If your own group wants to hire a vehicle with your own driver, that person will normally be required to meet certain conditions and take a familiarisation test.

More information can be found on the Community Transport Association website at: www.ctauk.org.

Individual transport
The other type of community transport scheme is the 'Ring-and-Ride' or 'Dial-a-Ride' door-to-door services which operate in most cities and towns. These schemes enable people who otherwise would have difficulty getting out of their homes to do everyday things such as shopping or taking part in social events. The schemes are usually operated by wheelchair accessible minibuses or adapted cars with fully trained staff. The service is usually available only for local residents who have to enrol as a member. You normally have to book the service at least 24 hours in advance. Most services restrict destinations to the local area where they are based.

More information can be found on the Community Transport Association website at: www.ctauk.org.

Social Car Schemes
In some areas social car schemes are available. These are operated by volunteer drivers using their own cars, and are usually available only for local trips. Sometimes journeys may also be restricted in other ways, such as to taking you to doctors' surgeries or to hospital appointments.

The Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) also provides social car schemes in some areas.

More information can be found on the Community Transport Association website at: www.ctauk.org.

Both St John Ambulance and British Red Cross provide transport services for disabled people. Wheelchair accessible vehicles are available for those who need them. However, a mileage charge is made so they can be quite expensive for longer journeys.

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Door to Door: a travel guide for disabled people

Going by road: Community transport

Other voluntary transport schemes