BURY ST EDMUNDS VOLUNTEER CENTRE

 

 

DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICE

Funded by SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL

 

THE DIAL-A-RIDE TEAM

 

Jackie Laurie – Community Transport Project Leader

 

ABOUT THE DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICE

 

The Dial-A-Ride [DAR] Service is operated by the Bury St Edmunds Volunteer Centre with volunteer drivers and assistants.

 

The DAR is a local transport service for the mobility impaired; frail elderly people and people unable to use conventional bus services.

 

We use small minibuses that have been specially adapted with easy steps and a lift for wheelchairs and those unable to use the steps, we endeavour to meet the needs of passengers with a wide range of mobility problems.

 

We take you from door to door and the fare will be similar to that of a conventional bus journey of the same length.

 

Our volunteer drivers are all MiDAS [Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme] trained.

They receive additional training to achieve accessible minibus standards for our wheelchair users.

 

The DAR is a member only service, to join a person must be on certain benefits and unable to use public transport. For more details contact us on 01284 724545.

Users can be of any age but must live in the local area and register with us.

Applications are only accepted from individuals.

 

The service operates from Monday to Friday [except Public Holidays] and within a 10-mile radius of Bury St Edmunds.

Our bus operating hours from 9.00am to 4.15 pm [last booking]

 

Carers and friends may travel with you and will pay the same fare.

 

You can travel within a specified area on a variety of journeys – such as shopping, visiting friends, attending meetings, doctors’ surgeries, chemists, opticians, churches and most local journeys.

The service is not available if other transport should be provided, for example to hospital appointments or day centres.

 

No Smoking is allowed on DAR buses.

 

REGISTRATION FORM

 

If you would like to obtain a registration form by post or visit, our address is:

 

Bury St Edmunds Volunteer Centre

Community Transport

86 Whiting Street

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 1NX

 

Office hours are 10.00 am to 4.00 pm daily, Monday to Friday.

 

Our e-mail address is: communitytransport@volunteercentre.co.uk.

 

If you would like to discuss registering, finding out more about the service or obtaining a registration form then please contact us on 01284 724545.

The DAR service is very popular, so phone lines are often busy. Please keep trying.

 

If you require to be accompanied by a guide dog or other working dog when using the service, please advise us when registering.

 

 

BOOKINGS

 

Once you are a registered member, you will be able to make bookings between

10.00 am to 4.00pm daily, Monday to Friday on 01284 724545

As the service is very popular, phone lines are often busy. Please keep trying.

An answer phone service is available, during and after office hours.

We will reply to messages left after office hours on the next working day.

 

Bookings are taken on a first-come, first-served basis and up to 10 days before you plan to travel. We normally like at least 48 hours notice, but if this is not possible it is worth trying the day before your trip, or even on the actual day, as we may be able to help.

 

We’ll deal with your request as soon as you get through to us, although we might not be able to provide transport when you want it. It is helpful if you can be flexible about what time you travel. We’ll let you know the cost of travel when you book.

 

  

FARES

 

A single one-way fare for each member, carer or friend ranges from £1.20 to £3.50.

 

Fares usually depend on the distance of your journey. The fare will be confirmed at the time of booking.

 

 

CAN YOU HELP OR DO YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO CAN HELP ?

 

Volunteer drivers and assistants operate the DAR buses.

 

The driver has responsibility for the operation of the vehicle and passenger safety while the assistant helps collect & board passengers and generally assist the driver.

 

If you would like to find out about volunteering for the DAR Service, as a driver or assistant, please contact Sandra Nicotera, on 01284 766126.

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

If you would like more information on Community Transport Schemes that operate in the County, it can be found on www.a2binfo.net.