Community Transport & Link Schemes
Community First provides an advisory and support service to 42 Link Schemes and 21 Community Minibus Groups across Wiltshire and Swindon as well as managing a variety of transport services to keep communities connected.
Community Transport
Community First provides an advisory and support service to 42 Link Schemes and 21 Community Minibus Groups across Wiltshire and Swindon
Volunteers involved in supporting the service
Link Schemes in Wiltshire and Swindon
Community Minibus Groups in Wiltshire and Swindon
Link schemes are volunteer led services which aim to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged, elderly or disabled people by helping them access important local services including medical appointments or by providing practical help with small tasks around the home or garden. As the transport service is provided by volunteers using their own cars, passengers are invited to give a donation to cover the cost of running the service. Local Link Schemes are run by a group of volunteers managed by a Link Co-ordinator who helps to connect passengers with volunteers.
Image credit: Phil Chapman
Community Minibus Groups in Wiltshire and Swindon run transport services for the benefit of the local community on a not-for-profit basis. The majority of vehicles are wheelchair accessible and offer regular day trips or routes at affordable rates. Many Community Minibus Groups are registered charities and mostly volunteer-led, but some use a mixture of paid and volunteer drivers. Details of routes, trips and prices charged by each minibus group can be obtained by contacting your local minibus group.
MiDAS Training
Community First offers MiDAS Minibus Driver Training, a nationally recognised standard for drivers of minibuses that offers training for members of staff and volunteers to drive minbuses to ensure they transport adults and children safely.
Local Public & Health Transport Information
Public Transport Information
For more information about getting around in Wiltshire on public transport, you can also visit Connecting Wiltshire which has local bus timetables, information about train services and other forms of transport, as well as news and information about transport in Wiltshire including travel alerts.
Planning your Journey
Support for Disabled People using Public Transport
WITS offers initial travel support to individuals who would like to travel independently on public transport for work, to meet friends, for college or training. After an initial meeting WITS designs an individual programme of support depending and provides a travel supporter to accompany the person on their journey until they become confident.
WITS can also support people to develop skills like planning a journey, road safety, telling the time, using money or a bus pass and help to build confidence. The only cost to the individual is any bus or train fares although where possible WITS will assist people to apply for disabled person passes.
Download the Wiltshire Independent Travel Support (WITS) Enquiry Form.
Information for people over 60 and disabled people
Health Transport Information
The criteria that determine whether or not you are eligible for NEPTS has been set by the Department of Health and are based upon whether your medical condition prevents you from travelling by any other means. Your eligibility is assessed each time you request to use the service (apart from those receiving regular dialysis or oncology treatment)
As a patient, you will not always have to book your own transport. This is sometimes done by the hospital or clinic under which you are being treated. However, if you are referred for tests or treatment by your doctor you may have to contact Arriva directly (you will be advised of this by your surgery/clinic).
The Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) is for patients who:
- Need to travel to and from an appointment at a hospital or clinic
- Are discharged from hospital, or
- Need to transfer between centres, and
- Because of their medical condition, cannot make their own way.
For non emergency patient transport to either: Great Western Hospital Swindon, Bath RUH, Salisbury District Hospital or Savernake Community Hospital, Chippenham Community Hospital, Melksham Community Hospital, Trowbridge Community Hospital, Westbury Community Hospital and Warminster Community Hospital
Call 01278 727401
Your eligibility for non emergency transport will be based on medical need. When you call the number given above you will be asked several questions to determine whether you qualify for non emergency patient transport. If you need to book your own travel appointment, you should try to call the number above at least the day before your appointment (although bookings can be made up to 4 hours prior to your appointment).
If you have a low income and do not have a medical need for transport, you may be able to reclaim your travel costs through a national NHS scheme called the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme. You can make a claim at the hospital at your appointment (provided you have the necessary paperwork) or you can make a postal claim up to three months after your appointment has taken place. This service is not related in any way to the NEPTS service.
If you do not qualify for non emergency patient transport, please contact your local Community Transport scheme who may be able to arrange transport for you.
