East Sussex community transport 

County advice overview

Dial-a-Ride and Call and Go schemes provide a bookable service for people who have difficulty accessing public transport. For example, if you live too far from a bus stop, find it difficult getting on and off public buses, or there is no bus service nearby.

Most vehicles are wheelchair accessible and safety-trained drivers will help you to board and with anything else you need on your journey.

You do not need to be registered disabled or use a wheelchair to be eligible but will normally need to register for the service.

Community Transport Schemes are not-for-profit organisations and only charge based on actual operating costs. The fare you pay will be competitive with public transport costs in most cases. Fares are much cheaper than taxis and there is sometimes a reduced rate for bus pass holders. 

Not all Dial-a-Ride Schemes can take you to hospital appointments or day care centres. These appointments can be arranged by your doctor, the hospital or social services.

Key tips

Give yourself plenty of time to plan your journey. You may wish to consider:

• Many community transport schemes require you to register beforehand to use the service.
• At the time of booking, inform the travel provider of any mobility and accessibility needs you may have.
• Plan ahead – consider what support you may need upon reaching your destination.
• Do you wish to take mobility equipment with you? It may be possible to hire a wheelchair or scooter, for example, once you have reached your destination, from an organisation such as ShopMobility.

Remember that your local Hubs Mobility Advice Service will be happy to help signpost you to the correct community transport operator and organisations.

Operators

Heathfield, Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells Community Transport Schemes

East Sussex County Council Community transport

East Sussex County Council provides an overview of Heathfield, Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells Community Transport Schemes.

Age Concern Heathfield and District

Covers Heathfield and surrounding communities. Supporting elderly residents and those with disabilities to attend a doctor or dental surgery, the optician, a chiropody clinic and hospital clinics in Tunbridge Wells, Uckfield, Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings and as far away as East Grinstead and Haywards Heath.

Twenty-four hours’ notice is required for booking. Costs apply.
To book minibus transport, contact: 01435 866960
Medical Car Service (essential journeys only): 01435 515090
Email: info@ageconcernheathfield.org.uk

Compaid Transport – Kent Karrier, Dial-a-Ride

Covers Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells, Hastings & Uckfield. Membership is open to individuals aged 85 or over; those with a registered disability or mobility issues; and anyone who lives in a rural area more than 500m from the nearest bus stop or railway station.

This is a wheelchair-friendly service. You should mention any assistance requirements when booking. Annual fee and subsidised costs apply.

Further information regarding pick-up locations can be found below.

North West Kent, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Malling
Contact: 01892 834539 or email transport@compaid.org.uk

Mayfield & Five Ashes Community Cars

You need to live within the parish of Mayfield and Five Ashes to be eligible to use the car service. 

Local destinations include Mayfield, Rotherfield, Crowborough, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells.

Further afield destinations include East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Maidstone, Central London (by special arrangement).
Contact: 01435 873575
Open: Monday – Friday, 9.00am to 10.30am and 5.00pm – 6.00pm.

WEALDLINK Community Transport (Shopping Service)

A community shopping service covering North Wealden and adjacent parishes, providing weekly and monthly services. Passengers are required to register, for free, to use the service. Support is provided on and off the bus, but you should enquire about accessibility when booking. Costs apply, depending on location.
Contact: 01892 771332

Rotherfield St Martin Volunteer Driver Scheme

A door-to-door service covering Rotherfield. Drivers will wait. Visit the office to book and find a driver. Costs per mile and an admin fee apply.
Contact: 01892 853021 or email rsmcentre@googlemail.com 

Hastings, Bexhill, Battle and Rye Community Transport Schemes

Hastings Community Transport

Covers Hastings & St Leonards. Call for booking information and accessibility details.
Contact: 01424 436868 or email info@hastingsct.com

Bexhill Caring Community

Covers: Bexhill. Contact for accessibility information and payment details. There is a membership fee to access services.
Contact: 01424 215116 or email angela@bexhillcaringcommunity.co.uk

Bexhill Community Bus

Covers Bexhill. Operates Monday to Saturday, except Bank Holidays and the afternoons of Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Contact: 01424 222820 or email info@bexhillcommunitybus.co.uk

Battle Area Community Transport (BACT)

Covers Battle and the surrounding villages. Regular and flexible bus services are available.
Contact 01424 870955 or bactoffice@tiscali.co.uk

Brede Voluntary Car Scheme

Covers Brede and Broad Oak (medical appointments only). Two accessible cars are available to transport wheelchairs and scooters. Costs for journeys apply.
Contact: 01424 882123 or email cskynvin@googlemail.com

Sedlescombe Lift Scheme

Covers Sedlescombe (medical appointments only).
Contact: 01424 870258 or email edlescombe@freezone.co.uk

Rye & District Community Transport

Covers: Rye and surrounding villages.
Contact: 01797 227722

Eastbourne and Hailsham Community Transport Schemes

Eastbourne Dial-a-Ride

Covers Lewes District, Eastbourne, Seaford, Four Towns, Uckfield. A local Dial-a-Ride service for anyone unable to easily access public transport. 
Contact: 01273 517332 or email info@ctla.org.uk

Age Concern Eastbourne Shopping and Leisure Transport Service

Covers Eastbourne.
Contact: 01323 638474 or email info@ageconcerneastbourne.co.uk 

Cuckmere Buses

Covers: Lewes District, South Wealden District & Eastbourne. Costs apply. Pushchairs and wheelchairs will be carried if there is room in the allocated space. Assistance dogs are allowed if accompanied by the holder of a card issued by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
Contact: 01323 870920

Lewes, Newhaven, Seaford and Brighton & Hove Community Transport Schemes

Havens Community Cars

Covers Newhaven, Seaford and surrounding areas.
Contact: 01273 918226 or email havenscommcar@gmail.com

Community Transport (Brighton, Hove and Area Ltd)

Covers Brighton & Hove, Lewes District & group hire throughout Sussex. Fares, accessibility details and timetables can be found online. 

Services include the Easylink door-to-door transport service for people who find it difficult to use the normal bus service, including wheelchair users. The Easylink Shopping Service serves Brighton and Hove from Portslade to Saltdean, taking passengers to their nearest supermarket.
Contact: 01273 677559 or email easylink@bhct.co.uk 

Uckfield, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead Community Transport Schemes

Bluebird Community Partnership

Covers Lewes & Mid Sussex districts. All vehicles are fitted with seatbelts and have access for wheelchairs and scooters.
Contact: 01444 471919 (Booking line open 8.30am-12.30pm, Monday – Friday.)
Or email bluebird253133@btopenworld.com

Forest Row Community Transport

Transport for patients from Ashdown Forest Health Centre and/or Forest Row Parish and Ashurst Wood, for medical and dental appointments. Essentially covering most of Sussex, Surrey and Kent. Small costs apply.

This service is not suitable for people with mobility challenges or who require physical assistance.
Contact: 0800 112 3352 or email frctransport@gmail.com

North Wealden Community Transport Partnership Ltd (Shopping Service)

A community shopping service covering North Wealden and adjacent parishes, providing weekly and monthly services. Passengers are required to register, for free, to use the service. Support is provided on and off the bus, but you should enquire about accessibility when booking.

Costs apply (£4.00 – £7.00), depending on location.
Contact: 01892 771332