What is community transport?
Community and voluntary transport schemes supplement the public transport network by offering services tailored to the needs of people who may have difficulty in using, or are unable to use, ordinary buses and trains. If you have these difficulties, perhaps due to age, disability or simply a lack of public transport services where you live, you can now search online for transport in your area using the Transport Accessible To All (TATA) online search facility.
Schemes are available throughout the county and operate on a not for profit basis, though there will be a charge for using the service. Some schemes require users to be registered and this is generally no more than £15 annually.
Some community transport schemes only cater for certain types of journey, e.g. medical appointments, while others offer journeys for a wide range of other needs.
If you are an eligible person or group, you can book transport in advance as and when it is required.
Find community transport in your area
The new online search facility allows you to search for a community transport provider by:
- area
- specific need
- type of journey (e.g. hospital appointment).
A successful search will return all the service providers serving that area which meet your specific needs and will supply you with contact details, availability, disabled access and prices where available, as well as other relevant information.
If you do not get any results, or if you have additional mobility needs that aren't covered, let us know by completing the Mobility Needs Register Form.
Tips for searching
- When choosing your transport needs it is best to select one option only. For example, if you are elderly and mobility impaired or a wheelchair user then select either 'mobility impaired' or 'wheelchair user' as this will return the most appropriate scheme(s) for your needs
- Ensure you only select one journey type, e.g., 'shopping' or 'hospital appointment'
- If you want to see details of all the Transport Providers that serve your town or village follow the steps as above but do not select a journey type.
Alternative transport options
Locallink buses
Locallink bus services are designed to provide access to local amenities such as health care, shopping and other neccessary facilities for the communities they serve. They are operated using small-sized buses so that they can access streets that larger (and sometimes double decker) buses cannot.
What makes them unique is that part of the route is demand responsive. You just ring and book the service and it comes to your door to pick you up. For more information on these services, and to download the timetables, visit the Locallink Bus pages on Nottingham City Council's website.
Accessible taxis
Many taxi companies now operate vehicles capable of transporting wheelchair-using, or mobility impaired, passengers. Such taxis are often referred to as accessible taxis or wheelchair-accessible taxis.
To view a list of accessible taxi firms, broken down by district, please visit our Accessible Taxi Companies page.
Car clubs
Car Clubs provide access to pay-as-you-go cars when needed, for as short or as long a time as you require. They're easy and affordable. Once you have become a member of a club, you just book a car, drive it and return it.
For more information visit the Car Clubs website at: www.carplus.org.uk/car-clubs/
Mobility Strategy
The Mobility Strategy for Nottinghamshire focuses on groups who are less able to make use of the main commercial bus network in the county. It also looks at new ways of working with suppliers of alternative modes of transport to ensure that everyone has access to services across the community.
Community transport good practice
We have developed a range of
good practice documents to support voluntary transport schemes in Nottinghamshire as part of the Mobility Strategy.
Statement of shared values
The partners have agreed a set of shared values which all bodies will work towards achieving at local level and which will form the founding principles for joint working.
