Kent community transport

County advice overview

Dial-a-Ride and Call and Go schemes provide a bookable service for people who have problems 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 must 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 should 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 

Information regarding Community Transport Schemes in Kent is available on the Age Space website.

East Kent Community Transport Schemes, including Ashford, Canterbury, Dover and Deal area, Folkestone, Shepway and Thanet.

Kent Karrier Service Dial-a-Ride – Canterbury, Dover and Shepway

Kent Karrier Service Dial-a-Ride website

Wheelchair-accessible transport will pick up/drop off in the local area. Book up to seven days in advance. £3-4 per fare.

Kent Karrier online application form or contact 03000 41 35 67

Kent Coast Volunteering 

www.kcv.org.uk

Kent Coast Volunteering provides an essential, volunteer-led community transport service for the Dover District, Folkestone and Hythe and Thanet plus surrounding villages. It enables residents to attend Hospital, GP and dental appointments, as well as visit relatives, go shopping or attend social events.

Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge wells and malling 

Ashford Volunteer Centre – Ashford hire-a-driver service

Ashford Volunteer Centre website
Hospital appointments, shopping. For people who find it difficult to use public transport.
Contact: 01233 665535 or email: contact@ashfordvc.org.uk  

Canterbury District Volunteer Centre – social transport in Herne Bay/ Canterbury

CHBVC website
Client registration is £15.00 per year.
Volunteer drivers. Charges apply.
Contact: 01227 743700 or email: jackie@chbvc.org

The Good Neighbours Scheme

https://www.newickhealthcentre.nhs.uk/the-good-neighbours-scheme

The Newick Good Neighbours Scheme was started at the beginning of 2020 to offer additional support to members of our community. The Scheme provides transport to doctors, hospital, and other appointments and is supported by the church to provide meals and social support.

To arrange transport, call The Good Neighbours Scheme on 07933 096033. A member of the team will then check driver availability and organise your lift.

Helping Hand

From Kemsing to medical appointments in Sevenoaks and West Kent, Small mileage charge for journeys beyond kemsing/Otford/Sevenoaks.

01959 522490 (contact Alastair Boobyer)

Involve, Community transport 

Involve Kent website

There is a charge for the service as follows:

Booking fees

• £4 per standard booking (trip within 75 miles)
• £2.50 per person for group travel – two or more passengers from different addresses (within 75 miles)
• £10 long journey bookings (over 75 miles/outside of Kent)

We also charge 50 pence per mile – this is calculated for the driver’s full mileage cost for doing each trip.

Telephone: 03000 810 005
Email: hello@involvekent.org.uk

Kent Karrier Service Dial-a-Ride – Tonbridge and malling, Tunbridge wells

Kent Karrier Service Dial-a-Ride website
Telephone: 03000 41 35 67

Wheelchair-accessible transport will pick up/drop off in the local area. Book up to seven days in advance. £3–4 per fare.

Wealden wheels

www.wealdenwheels.co.uk
Wealden Wheels, based in Pluckley, Kent, is a Community Transport Company that provides minibus hire to its Members. Our fleet includes three wheelchair accessible vehicles. Self-Drive Hire from £1.30 per mile. Hire with a Volunteer Driver from £1.90 per mile.

Telephone 01233 840000

Whitstable Volunteer Car Service 

Red Zebra Community Solution
The service is for over 55s who live within a CT5 postcode, who find it difficult to use public transport either through age or disability. It is aimed at helping get to essential appointments such as health centres, hospitals, dentists, chiropodists, day centres etc. Where resources permit, shopping and social trips may be possible.

Email: socialprescribing@redzebra.org.uk
Telephone: 01227 272 781

West Kent Community Transport Schemes, including Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Malling.

Community Car Service – West Kent. Based in Tunbridge Wells.

Community Car Service website
Transport Bookings: 01892 511627
Office/Queries: 01892 540131

From early mornings to late nights in West Kent. £15 registration fee and £6.50 minimum per journey. Driver will wait up to one hour but this will incur an extra charge. Request a wheelchair-accessible vehicles if required.

Compaid – Out and About in Tunbridge Wells.   

Compaid website  
Covers Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Malling.
Contact: 01892 832447 

Travel charges apply. The driver can sometimes wait for a short visit. You can travel with up to three friends or family members on the same journey. The vehicle has space for one passenger to travel in a wheelchair.

Dial2Drive – Community Transport

Dial2Drive website
Covers: Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas of West Kent.
Contact: 0300 777 1200 (Monday to Friday, 09.30am to 15.30pm.)

Annual £20.00 fee. Price per mile and car parking fees apply (drivers will wait up to one hour for their passenger). Invoices are sent after a journey. Wheelchair users must be able to self-transfer in and out of a car.

North Kent/ Medway, including Dartford, Gravesham, Maidstone and Swale, and Medway.

Compaid – Out and About in Maidstone.   

Compaid website  
Covers Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Maidstone, Sevenoaks and malling.
Telephone: 01892 832447 

Travel charges apply. The driver can sometimes wait for a short visit. You can travel with up to three friends or family members on the same journey. The vehicle has space for one passenger to travel in a wheelchair.

Driving Miss Daisy

Driving Miss Daisy website

An assisted transport scheme. Mainly covers Medway locations.
Contact form: Contact Us – Driving Miss Daisy
Contact: 0333 014 6211 or email: Medway@drivingmissdaisy.co.uk

Wheelchair-accessible vehicles (contact for a quote of costs).

Drivers can also be a companion throughout your trip, joining on appointments/ shopping or lunch out etc. 

nvolve, Community transport 

Involve Kent website

There is a charge for the service as follows:

Booking fees

• £4 per standard booking (trip within 75 miles)
• £2.50 per person for group travel – two or more passengers from different addresses (within 75 miles)
• £10 long journey bookings (over 75 miles/outside of Kent)

We also charge 50 pence per mile – this is calculated for the driver’s full mileage cost for doing each trip.

Telephone: 03000 810 005
Email: hello@involvekent.org.uk

Kent Karrier Service Dial-a-Ride – Maidstone

Kent Karrier Service Dial-a-Ride website
Telephone: 03000 41 35 67

Wheelchair-accessible transport will pick up/drop off in the local area. Book up to seven days in advance. £3–4 per fare.

Hands Community Transport

Hands Transport Services website
Telephone: 01634 380 030

All our drivers are volunteers using their own cars and we charge 45p a mile to cover the petrol cost for your journey. We also charge a £3 Administration fee which goes to the office to help with the cost of the telephone line and expenses for our office volunteers who arrange the transport.