Community transport

Community car schemes provide a highly valued service to those who would otherwise be unable to get to medical appointments, to the shops (or other services), or keep in touch with relatives and friends. Journeys are provided by voluntary drivers and are booked through a coordinator. Most community car schemes use drivers based in your village to whom you pay a per-mile rate. This keeps the cost down.

If you cannot find a scheme covering your parish or the area where you live, it is worth contacting a neighbouring scheme which may be able to help you. You would normally have to pay to cover the additional distance a vehicle would have to come to reach you.

This guide is designed to give information on community transport schemes and their providers operating in South Cambridgeshire. We want to increase awareness of what is available and help people to locate and contact providers. We are keen to offer choice to the public and encourage the use of all types of public and community transport.

Balsham Good Neighbour Scheme - Telephone: 07508 430 057

Types of journey: Medical and essential social journeys

Barton Community Car Scheme - Telephone: 07837 813 250

Types of journey: Medical journeys

Bassingbourn Car Scheme (part of the Heron Group) - Telephone: 07592 783 566

Villages covered: Bassingbourn, Kneesworth

Types of journey: Medical and essential social journeys

Beaches Community Car Scheme - Telephone: 07807 875 878

Villages covered: Waterbeach, Landbeach, Horningsea, Milton, Chittering

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys

Bourn Community Car Scheme - Telephone: 07948 112 531

Villages covered: Bourn, Longstowe

Types of journey: Medical journeys

Caldecote, Dry Drayton & Hardwick Community Car Scheme

Telephone:07464 069483 - Monday to Friday 8.30am - 6pm

Villages covered: Caldecote, Dry Drayton & Hardwick, Childerley

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys

Cambourne Car Scheme - Telephone: 07526 998 465 | Email: cambournecarscheme@gmail.com 

Villages covered: Cambourne, Caxton, Covington, Elsworth, Knapwell, Papworth

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys (Taxi card)

Cambourne Community Minibus - CamCare UK Trip Consent Form

17 seater mini bus available to hire for local communities

Comberton Village Help Scheme - Telephone: 01223 262 246

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys

Cottenham Care Car Scheme - Telephone: 01954 251 929

Villages covered: Cottenham, Oakington, Westwick

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys

Eversden Car Scheme - Telephone : 01763 245228

Contact Royston and District Community Transport

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys

Foxton Social Car Scheme - Telephone: 01223 572 147

Types of journey: Medical and essential social journeys

Fulbourn Community Car Scheme - Telephone: 01223 756446

Villages covered: Fulbourn, Teversham, Great & Little Wilbraham

Types of journey: Medical and essential social journeys

Gamlingay & Hatleys Car Scheme - Telephone: 07519 493 701 | Email: skin.a128812@gmail.com

Villages covered: Croydon, Gamlingay, East Hatley, Hatley St George, Little and Great Gransden, Longstowe, Tadlow

Types of journey: Medical and essential social journeys

Guilden Morden Car Scheme (part of the Heron Group) - Telephone: 01763 852125

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys

Harston Social Car Scheme - Telephone: 01223 871 657

Types of journey: Medical and essential social journeys

Haslingfield & Harlton Community Car Scheme - Telephone: 07800 883 634

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys

Histon, Impington & Girton Car Scheme HIG - Telephone: 01223 297881 Email: hig.car.scheme@gmail.com

Villages covered: Histon, Impington and Girton

Types of journey: Medical, shopping and social journeys

Histon, Impington Minibus Service - Telephone: 07502 372852 | Minibus service website 

Types of journey: Group shopping and social outings

Litlington Social Car Scheme (part of the Heron Group) - Telephone: 01763 852 272

Villages covered: Litlington, Abington Pigotts

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys

Orwell Social Car Scheme (part of the Heron Group) - Telephone: 01223 207 307

Villages covered: Orwell, Wimpole

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys

OWLS Community Car Scheme - Telephone: 07505 254 363

Villages covered: Over, Willingham, Longstanton, Swavesey

Types of journey:Medical and social journeys

Rampton Car Care Scheme - Telephone: 01954 204 481

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys

Shelford Support Group - Telephone: 07804 041 173

Villages covered: Great and Little Shelford, Stapleford

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys

Steeple Morden Car Scheme (part of the Heron Group) - Telephone: 01763 852608

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys

St Ives Community Car Scheme - Telephone: 01480 301 462

Villages covered: Fen Drayton, Papworth

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys

Papworth Everard – Taxi card

St Neots Community Car Scheme - Telephone: 01480 476 047 | 07869 714680

Villages covered: Caxton, Eltisley, Graveley

Types of journey: Medical and social journeys

TAG Scheme Trumpington and Grantchester Community Car Scheme 

Telephone: 01223 297860 Email: taglifts@gmail.com

Journey Type:  medical and essential social journeys only

Bus operators 

A2B Bus & Coach Ltd : a locally run, family business, operating services across Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Essex and Suffolk

A2B Tickets and Timetables

CG Myall & Son: there is also a Thursday bus service which runs between The Hatleys and St Neots

Telephone: 01763 243 225   

Cozy Travel Ltd: Operator of the UK first Hybrid Coach

Telephone: 0345 265 8888  

Grant Palmer : operates a network of local bus services, serving the communities of Bedfordshire 

Telephone: 01525 719 719   

FACT Cambs: FACT Community Transport covers Fenland, Huntingdonshire and East Cambs   

Telephone: 01480 411 114   

Stagecoach bus: their sustainable travel services help support the economy, connect people and communities and protect the environment

Telephone: 0345 241 8000  

Go Whippet Coaches: they run local buses and National Express services between Cambridge / East Anglia and London Victoria, Heathrow and Gatwick

Telephone: 01954 230 011 

The Taxi Card Scheme is run by Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA)

It aims to help towards the cost of taxi journeys for people who have difficulties getting to or using public transport, and those do not own their own vehicle. The scheme is aimed at those aged 65 or over who live in the parishes listed below:

• Papworth Everard
• Fen Ditton, Horningsea and Teversham
• Fulbourn, Girton, Grantchester, Histon, Impington, Oakington and Sawston
• Cambourne (Great, Upper & Lower)
• Babraham

Journeys need to be mainly for essential purposes such as medical appointments or shopping.

Complete a Taxi Card Scheme application on the Cambridgeshire County Council website

You can contact Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority for this scheme at community.transport@cambridgeshirepeterborough.ca.gov.uk or call 07874 861259.

You may be able to claim a refund under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) of the cost of travelling to hospital or other NHS premises for NHS-funded treatment or a diagnostic test arranged by a doctor or dentist. More information can be found at the NHS for England website.

NHS Non-Emergency Patient Transport  

In general, patients are responsible for getting themselves to and from non-urgent NHS appointments. NHS Cambridgeshire funds patient transport in the following circumstances:

• Where the patient’s medical condition is such that they require the skills and support of Patient Transport Services staff - and where it would be detrimental to the patient’s condition or recovery if they were to travel by other means
• Where the patient’s medical condition affects their mobility so that they would not be able to access healthcare by other means
• Where the patient’s cognitive state or lack of motivation could result in non-attendance if their travel were unsupported

Further details

• One escort or carer may also travel if the patient need particular support.
• Children under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by a responsible parent or guardian.
• Patient transport is arranged through your GP surgery and is subject to eligibility.
• If an escort is required, you must let your GP know at the time of booking transport.
• If you are not eligible for patient transport, you will need to make your own travel arrangements.

Help With Travel Costs

If you are on income-based benefits, low income or are a war pensioner you may be able to get help with your travel costs.

For more information on this, contact your local Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS): 

• Addenbrooke’s PALS: 01223 216 756
• Papworth Hospital PALS: 01480 364 896

The Voluntary Network was established by members of the community who identified the need for Community Transport to enable those who are most vulnerable to maintain their independence. They also offer a befriending service, providing support for those who find themselves particularly isolated.

The Voluntary Network operate a door-to-door, Dial-a-Ride service covering selected South Cambridgeshire villages: Linton, West Wickham, Great Wilbraham, Weston Colville, Carlton, West Wratting, Horseheath, Castle Camps, Weston Green, Abington and Balsham. 

Their service provides safe, comfortable, and secure travel for passengers who are unable to access the usual public transport, due to disability or location. All drivers are fully trained and insured to ensure all passengers, including wheelchair users, are carried safely and in comfort. 

There is a joining fee of £20, renewable yearly, and the fares compare favourably to local buses.

Contact details:

Tel: 01638 664304 - Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm
Email: info@thevoluntarynetwork.org

Can be used to travel to day centres or community groups, medical appointments or visiting friends or family.

The scheme is intended for people over the age of 16 years who have difficulty using public transport because of disability, infirmity, or age who live in the parishes listed below:

• Milton
• Sawston
• Bar Hill and Girton
• Cottenham, Histon and Impington

Please contact Cambridge Dial-a-Ride - Community Transport Services

Telephone: 01223 506335
E-mail: memberssupport@cambridgedialaride.org.uk

Care Network Cambridgeshire works with Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority to support Community Car Schemes.

You can contact the Cambridge Care Network at admin@care-network.org.uk or call 01954 211 919.

We are also contactable on duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk or 01954 713070  and we will be able to give you more information.

Just one journey a week could really help a vulnerable member of your community.

Royston and District Community Transport offer door-to-door transport 7 days a week for people living in Royston and surrounding villages of South Cambridgeshire. This service is available for people who are unable to use conventional public transport for reasons of age, frailty, or impaired mobility. Volunteer drivers use their own cars, and the scheme also operates wheelchair accessible minibuses and multi-purpose vehicles. Examples of journeys include: travel to day centres, shopping trips and medical journeys. There is a Medical MPV available for single wheelchair users who cannot transfer to a car. 

• RDCT are currently prioritising medical journeys for vulnerable, elderly or wheelchair bound passengers. Please call them to discuss individual needs.
• This link will help you to volunteer with Royston & District Community transport.

Contact details:

Tel: 01763 245 228 - 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday

Email: info@roytrans.co.uk

The Huntingdon Association of Community Transport (HACT) is a community transport provider that serves villages towards the Huntingdon side of South Cambs.

Residents living in the villages listed below can book their journeys by phoning HACT on 01480 411 114, by 1pm the day before travel:

• Eltisley 
• Croxton
• Caxton
• Longstowe
• Abbotsley
• Waresley
• Gamlingay
• Little Gransden, Great Gransden
• Arrington
• Croydon
• Orwell
• Wimpole
• Great Eversden, Little Eversden
• East Hatley, Hatley St George

How To Make Arrangements For Assistance With Rail Travel

If you would like assistance when making a journey, such as help getting on or off a train, or need ramps for a wheelchair, please contact the train company that manages the station you are starting your journey from. More information can be found by typing ‘disabled passengers’ into the search box on the National Rail website.

Train Bookings

Traveline can help you plan your train travel for anywhere in the country.  

Train Operators

For timetables and other information contact National Rail or call 03457 484 950

Cross Country: To Stanstead Airport and Birmingham New Street
Telephone:0844 811 0124
Textphone:0844 811 0126

Govia Thameslink Railway: To London King’s Cross via Foxton, Shepreth and Meldreth
To King’s Lynn via Waterbeach - visit the website or download Thameslink’s ‘OnTrack’ app
Telephone: 0345 026 4700
Telephone for Assisted travel information: 0800 058 2844
Textphone: 0800 138 1018

Greater Anglia: To London Liverpool Street via Shelford, Whittlesford Parkway and Great Chesterford
To Norwich, visit the Greater Anglia website, or download Greater Anglia’s app
Telephone:0345 600 7245 (option 8)
Telephone for Assisted travel information: 0800 028 2878

Railcards

A variety of railcards are available including the 16-25 Railcard, 26–30 Railcard, Family and Friends Railcard, Two Together Railcard, Senior Railcard, Disabled Person’s Railcard, and Network Railcard.

These railcards discount at least one third off most rail fares.

Railcards can be purchased at train stations, over the phone or via the Railcard website or by calling 0345 300 0250

Student Connect Cards

If you are 16 to 18 years of age and travel on the Great Northern Rail Line out of Cambridgeshire to your school or college, you could get a discount card with up to 34 per cent off.

If your school or college is in Cambridgeshire you can apply for the Cambridgeshire Student Connect Card, which gives you a bigger discount of 50 per cent. 

The Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership (CRP) brings communities together to:

• Promote sustainable and healthy travel
• Improve and enhance the station environments, and promote green projects
• Work with local schools and young people in promoting rail safety and caring for our station environments
• Recognise and promote the importance of local business in the community

Recent projects by the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership include:

• Building confidence to travel with “try a train” trips
• Encouraging tourism along the Cambridge to Hitchin line with ideas of activities at each stop.
• Projects at each station offering gardening opportunities for planting, weeding and watering by volunteers 
• Safeguarding the Cambridgeshire Student Connect Card for a 50% travel discount 
• Representing the views of local residents by submitting responses to local transport project consultations.

Read more on the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership website or get in touch with sarah.grove@scambs.gov.uk

E-bikes are a great way to get around in a quick, low-carbon way. The community E-bike service, developed by Cambridge Electric Transport, with the help of funding from our Zero Carbon Communities Grant, means that you can hire e-bikes in areas around South Cambridgeshire.

You can find the E-bikes in Teversham, Northstowe and surrounding villages, and the Abingtons.

Blue Badge Parking Permits

Blue Badge permits provide parking concessions if you have severe mobility problems and have difficulty using public transport. Blue Badge holders can either be the driver or the passenger of the vehicle they are travelling in. For more information about the scheme or for applications and renewals visit the Cambridgeshire County Council website or call 0345 045 5204.

Concessionary Bus Passes

England’s national concessionary bus pass entitles the holder to travel free of charge on off-peak local bus services anywhere in England. Find out from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority whether you are eligible for a bus pass and how to apply, or call: 01223 740149

Shopmobility

The Shopmobility schemes can lend manual wheelchairs and powered scooters to members of the public who might have limited mobility when they shop or visit leisure and other facilities within the town. 

Disclaimer:

To the best of our knowledge all the information was accurate when added to our website, however contents are subject to change at short notice. If you find any errors, omissions or know of any other or new transport schemes we would welcome your information:

Duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk

Call: 01954 713070