Community transport
Some people find it difficult to use public transport due to their disability or mobility problems. Community transport offers a number of different ways for people who would otherwise be unable to get out and about to visit shops and other local amenities.
The community transport providers in Blackburn with Darwen are
listed below. You can contact the organisations direct to
find out more about their services and book transport.
Care Network Hub can give you advice
on community transport, you can call them on 01254
292620 or visit the Care Network Hub at 9a Town Hall Street,
Blackburn, opposite Blackburn Central Library.
Dial A Ride
Dial A Ride is the longest established community transport
service in Blackburn with Darwen.
Their service is available to residents:
- who have a disability
- whose children have a disability
- who are aged over 55 or over
- who use a wheelchair
They operate 9 modern wheelchair accessible minibuses
throughout the area, 7 days a week from 7am to 8pm (Sundays are by
special arrangement). The Dial A Ride service can be used
for almost any purpose including shopping, medical
appointments, visiting friends/relatives, special occasions,
college/school transport, pet transport etc. They also operate
outside of Blackburn and
Darwen, including Manchester
and Liverpool.
All their drivers are fully trained, CRB (criminal
records bureau checked), experienced and caring, as
well as approved transport drivers for both Lancashire County
Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. They
are part of Blackburn and Darwen Community Transport Limited, which
is a not for profit organisation, therefore any charges
are kept to an absolute minimum. Fares start from £2 per
trip. They accept bookings up to 24 hours in
advance. You can book using the following methods:
Telephone: (01254) 200333 or 200088
Email: blackburnanddarwen@gmail.com
For more information please visit www.dialaride.info
Travel Assist
Travel Assist is a local and not for profit social enterprise
that strives to provide affordable and accessible
community transport for the community. Their services include
the following:
- A registered door to door service throughout Blackburn with
Darwen
- Registered rural route for Edgworth
- Minibus trips for community groups
- Patient transport on behalf of the Northwest Ambulance Services
NHS Trust throughout Lancashire and Cumbria.
All staff have enhanced CRB clearance and are trained to the
highest standard. Travel Assist are proud of what they do and their
ethics and expertise and are always looking at ways to improve
their service. The TA04 door to door service is fairly priced as
passengers are only charged for the distance travelled. Fares start
as low as £1.50.
To make a booking call 01254 773765 or 08452 505506.
Travel both in and out of the borough can be accommodated.
The booking line is open Monday - Friday, 9am -
1pm.
For more information please visit their website: www.travelassist.org
Lancashire County Council Integrated Transport
Service
Lancashire's largest community transport service offering
bookable transport centred around shopping and group trips. The
"Dial A Ride" scheme operates on a varied fare structure depending
on the nature of the journey (Dial A Ride or Group Trip). "Dial A
Ride" Services operate off-peak from 9.30am to 2.30pm. All vehicles
are equipped with low steps and are wheelchair
accessible. For further details or to make a
booking please call 01282 831858.
Matrix Private Hire (DPH Accessible Transport
Limited)
Providers of fully wheelchair accessible Hackney and Private
Hire Taxis. Personal and shared taxi service with fares starting
from £2.50 per trip in the Blackburn area and £2 per trip in the
Darwen area. Discounts available for Community Transport users
for 'off peak' journeys. For further details or to
make a booking please call 01254 278863.
Assisted shopping volunteers
If you require support once you are at the shops, Care Network
can arrange for a trained volunteer to meet you there. The
volunteer can assist you round the shops, help you to get your
shopping, pack afterwards and assist you back to the meeting place
for community transport. This extra help can make shopping much
more enjoyable for you. Call Care Network on 01254 507255 for more
information.
NHS Patient Transport
The Patient Transport Service throughout the North West is
provided by the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust. It provides
pre-planned non-urgent transport to and from hospital out-patient
or clinic appointments. Although the vehicles used to
transport patients are called ambulances, they should not be
confused with the emergency ambulances which respond to 999
calls. To book Patient Transport call 0800 032 3240
Lift Sharing - Shared Wheels
Shared Wheels has been developed to provide a free car sharing
service for all those who live in and around Lancashire. This is a
free to register website that enables people to be matched to
others doing a similar journey helping people without a car to
access services/destinations, or those with a car to share costs
and make new friends. This service could be very useful
for carers or individuals wanting more independence.
Register your details today and enjoy the benefits of car
sharing. You can find out more at www.sharedwheels.co.uk
Volunteers needed for new community transport service
Would you like to volunteer as a driver for a new community
transport service in Blackburn with Darwen run by the Royal
Voluntary Service? To find out more click here
Your Support Your Choice can give you advice on Community Transport options - call them on 01254 292620 or visit them at 9a Town Hall Street, Blackburn, opposite Blackburn Central Library.