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.

Your Support Your Choice can give you advice on community transport, you can call them on 01254 292620 or visit the Your Support Your Choice centre 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.

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