Community Transport in Derbyshire - Video transcript

Derbyshire Community Transport provides safe, reliable and accessible transport services to literally thousand's of users from all over the county. And we want even more people to know about it.

In 2007 Community Transport celebrated their 25-year anniversary.

Community Transport is often perceived as being for older members of the community. That's just not true!

It's used by people of all ages, all abilities, from all backgrounds, and since 1982 Community Transport have expanded their services and have something to offer everyone.

Community Transport fills the gap in the local transport network, and it provides a comprehensive service to those individuals who are unable to use ordinary buses and trains to undertake journeys and get to where they want to go.

There are eight separate Community Transport schemes throughout Derbyshire, all independent and delivering the services that residents want. Derbyshire's a very varied county, it has several large urban areas and some very isolated villages so the Community Transport Schemes meet the demands in their own particular area.

The main services that most of the schemes provide are group travel, Dial a Bus and Dial a Ride.

Group travel is a popular service that can be used by any local charitable organisations or community group. There are over 1000 groups using the service including many educational, religious and social groups. Travel's not restricted to Derbyshire either, you can go anywhere you choose. In fact, any organisation or group can use Community Transport as long as they are non-profit making and serve the local community.

For individuals there are the Dial a Bus and Dial a Ride services.

The Dial a Bus service is a home to town shopping service and is very popular. Dial a Bus is part of the concessionary travel scheme and is funded by Derbyshire County Council and each of the eight Community Transport Schemes in Derbyshire offer a variety of services to shopping centres inside and outside the county.

Passengers also have the opportunity to go on trips or scenic tours not just in the Peak District but all around the country. These are very popular and provide an opportunity for people to get out and about in a friendly group to the seaside or places of interest.

Then there is the Dial a Ride. A tailored service that meets specific individual transport needs. Many Community Transport Schemes operate small, wheelchair accessible people carrier and will take you wherever you want to go in the UK, there are no restrictions.

All journeys are undertaken by fully trained drivers. Be they paid drivers or volunteer drivers, all are trained to the same professional standard enabling them to safely transport people of all abilities.

Some Community Transport Schemes provide other specialised services within the area they serve, for example, Car Schemes and Shopmobility Schemes.

The Car Scheme is entirely reliant upon local car owners volunteering their time to provide a friendly, caring, and responsive service for local people who find it hard to travel by other means. These volunteer car owners not only act as drivers but also provide aid and support to all our passengers. They take them to the doctors, hospitals and various other destinations for a contribution towards cost.

Community Transport co-ordinate the drivers and the journeys so everything runs smoothly. It's a friendly neighbourhood scheme that works well and it's just a phone call away.

Shopmobility Schemes are limited, but they provide manual and powered wheelchairs and scooters to both local residents and visitors to the area with limited mobility. Wheelchairs and scooters can be transported on the vehicles on all the operated services and trips. Everyone is provided with some basic instruction to make sure they are confident in using the equipment.

That is what Community Transport is all about. Being helpful and caring about others and many people become volunteers to do just that. Community Transport Schemes in Derbyshire have volunteer drivers, volunteer passenger assistants and volunteer fundraisers, to name but a few of the many roles open to anyone who wishes to get involved.

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