Who qualifies?
The transport scheme provides for residents in the Borough of Gedling who experience permanent or temporary mobility difficulties using public transport as a result of age, illness or infirmity, disability, location, geographical or social isolation and who have no other means of transport availabe to them.
The client can be of any age group but children under the age of 14 years must be accompanied by an adult. It is important to remember that a client must be able to help him or herself a little in getting into and out of a car. Anyone needing additional help must book. The escort must be collected from the client’s home.
What can the transport be used for?
The transport can be used for any purpose for which other public transport services could normally be used. The following journey purposes are the ones that will be given priority:
- Shopping/personal business trips into local centres
- Visits to friends and relations
- Interchange with train or long distance coach service
- Hospital visiting
- Medical appointments eg doctors, dentists and chiropodists (but not hospital outpatient appointments)
How does the scheme operate?
Once a client has been registered they should contact the office direct to book a journey. 48 hours notice must be given to request a journey – it is never too early to book. It is illegal for drivers to make private arrangements for journeys and so all requests must be made through the office and not to the drivers direct, even if the journey is on a regular basis. Transport clients will only be allowed to make three journeys in any one week.
Who are the volunteer drivers?
The drivers are all volunteers who offer their services and cars freely for the benefit of the clients and without them the scheme cannot run. The drivers receive no pay for their time but are reimbursed for their fuel costs. All drivers are fully checked for driving licences, MOT documents and insurance. They are all CRB checked and carry an authorisation badge, clearly showing who they are.
How much does it cost?
Currently, there is an annual registration fee of £15.00 per person, renewable annually on 1 April.
Journeys are currently charged at 40p per mile which is paid by the client to the driver. There is also a minimum charge of £2.40 for journeys that are less than 6 miles.
How do I join?
A registration form needs to be completed and this is available by telephoning the office. This needs to be completed and sent in to the office with the resigration fee.
For further information please download the following documents:
or email: transport@gedlingcvs.org.uk
