Need to get somewhere, but there is no bus service from your area or you can not use it because of health or mobility problems? Then you need a local solution that is better tailored to your needs. Community transport fills the gaps left by conventional public transport services. Basically it is there to help anyone who is unable to use “normal” buses because of health or mobility problems, but also if there is no service in your area or it does not go to where you need to be at the time or on the day that you need.

There are two different types of community transport scheme in East Cambridgeshire; these are Dial-a-Ride services and community car schemes. 

Dial-a-Ride services are like a flexible bus service, using fully accessible minibuses and picking up passengers at their own homes. To use a dial a ride scheme you may need to pay a modest annual membership fee and book your place in advance of when you want to travel. Concessionary bus pass holders pay half fare on all three services. A leaflet has been produced for community and public transport in East Cambridgeshire, covering community car schemes, buses, trains, blue badges, bus passes, dial-a-ride services and shop mobility.

FACT Dial-a-Car 

FACT Community Transport is a charity serving the East Cambridgeshire, Fenland and Huntingdon areas, for people who have no other means of transport. This service is based on your needs and can be used to take you to appointments, shopping, or anywhere you need to go that you cannot get to. All cars are specially adapted to accommodate one wheelchair user and up to three passengers and have been designed to ensure every passenger feel safe, secure and enjoys their journey. This is a pre-bookable service and is unable to take same day bookings. You must be a member of FACT to use this service.  

• Telephone: 01354 661234   
• Email: info@cotransport.org 

Dial-A-Ride-Service - East Cambs   

Offers a Connecting Communities service in many areas of the district; for longer journeys, the service will connect you to the other bus or train services. Connecting Communities can be used for social, appointments, study, shopping or work. All journeys are pre-booked. 

• Telephone: 01638 664304 
• Email: info@thevoluntarynetwork.org 

Further information on the Dial-A-Ride-Service can be found on The Voluntary Network. 

Community Car Schemes 

There are also a number of community car schemes operating in the district. These schemes provide people with a door-to-door lift for essential journeys, driven by a volunteer using their own car. The passenger pays a contribution to the fuel and running costs of the car. Lifts are provided to appointments (for example to the surgery or hospital, optician and dentist), plus helping with visiting friends and relatives in hospital and going shopping. Friendly drivers will help you where needed, including carrying your shopping to your front door. 

Volunteering 

• Do you like helping people? 
• Have a few hours to spare? 
• Hold a clean driving licence? 

Then you could be just whom we are looking for to provide essential transport for vulnerable people in your community.  

All of the community car schemes welcome more volunteer drivers to help them provide transport for people who are unable to use conventional public transport. You will use your own car and be paid a mileage allowance.  

• Burwell Village Help Scheme: Telephone 07399 154913 
• East Cambs Social Car Scheme:  Telephone 01353 666553 
• Community Car Service- East Cambs:  Telephone 01638 664304
• Three Rivers Car Scheme: Telephone 07549 892322