Plymouth launches UK’s first commercially sponsored community transport service for elderly and disabled

Plymouth’s Dial A Ride community transport service is going citywide, thanks to a unique partnership between the City Council, local charity Access Plymouth and commercial operator Plymouth Citybus.

The new service, which has been trialled successfully in the north of the city for the last 12 months, will offer elderly and disabled adults door-to-door journeys from their home to any destination within the city boundary.

It will operate from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and residents will be able to book a journey up to a week in advance, with bookings accepted up to 2pm the day before travel. Fares will start at just £3 return.

Passengers will benefit from three newly branded, nine-seater, wheelchair-accessible minibuses and drivers who can help them on and off the bus and to and from their front door.

The service is being operated by Access Plymouth on behalf of the Council and sponsored by Plymouth Citybus, in a partnership arrangement that is thought to be a national industry first.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We’re really pleased to be extending this service across the whole of Plymouth after a very successful and popular trial. Having spoken to passengers already using Dial A Ride I know what a difference it makes to their daily lives and helping them to get from A to B. The fact that Plymouth Citybus is now sponsoring the service is fantastic and this will hopefully also help to raise the profile of Access Plymouth’s work.”

Councillor Sue McDonald, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Adult Social Care said: "The Dial A Ride service offers elderly and disabled residents greater choice and flexibility in planning their travel, helping them to get out and about with the assistance they need. We’re thrilled to be working with Access Plymouth and Plymouth Citybus to extend this service to all parts of the city.”

Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus Ltd said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners on this ground breaking initiative; that enables elderly and disabled passengers to access services across the city, where conventional buses cannot meet their needs.”

Lesley Hargreaves, Manager of Access Plymouth, said: “Our clients struggle to use public transport and this door-to-door service helps them to retain their independence and get out and about in Plymouth. We are very excited about the expansion of the Dial A Ride scheme.”

The new service, which starts on Monday 30 September, is being officially launched by former Royal Marine Mark Ormrod in Plymouth city centre on Wednesday 25 September.

Marine Ormrod lost both legs and an arm in a landmine explosion while serving with 40 Commando in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve 2007. Despite being warned he would never walk again, he was determined to prove his doctors wrong and help inspire others to overcome adversity. After publishing a book about his experiences he completed an eight-week charity trek across America on artificial legs. He is now attached to the new Hasler Company, which provides specially tailored support for seriously ill and injured Royal Marines.

Marine Ormrod is a firm supporter of Access Plymouth and the Dial A Ride service and will cut a ribbon on one of the new-look buses at 10am on the Armada Way piazza.

The bus will be open to the public and staff will be on hand with information about the new service until 6pm.

Fares are as follows: