What does community transport actually do?
The community transport sector is extremely diverse. Individual community transport operators will provide a range of services in response to local need.
Range of services
The following describes the range of potential services. It is important to note that not every service will, or has to be, provided by every community transport operator
Minibus services
For example:
- Shared transport for a wide range of community groups, from under 5s groups to over 60s clubs.
- Individual door-to-door services for passengers who find it difficult or impossible to use mainstream transport. For example, Dial A Ride.
Community Buses
Regular, timetabled bus services using volunteer drivers.
Contracted Services
For example:
- Home to school transport
- Social Services day centre transport
PSV services
Services advertised for use by the general public
Demand Responsive Transport
Services for the public, which adapt their itinerary and timetable to suit a particular transport demand. These use paid drivers, operating minibuses or smaller vehicles such as people-carriers.
Community Car Services
Door to door transport for individuals using volunteer drivers, either with their own community transport-owned cars or people carriers, for passengers who cannot use public transport.
Vehicle brokerage & management
A community transport’s management of vehicles owned by local community groups can produce cost savings for the group concerned and remove worries about safety servicing and maintenance.
Training
To nationally accredited MiDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) standards, for drivers and passenger assistants.
Shopmobility or wheelchair loan
Shopmobility projects hire mobility vehicles (wheelchairs, mobility scooters etc.) for shoppers to use when visiting retail facilities.
Some community transport operators can also provide wheelchairs for longer term loan.
Goods vehicle hire
Vans for use by community groups
Recycling
Furniture recycling collection and redistribution of household goods.
Community recycling projects
Recycling everything from furniture to household waste.