Community transport

Providing a range of transport services to people who cannot access conventional public transport because of where they live or because of mobility impairment.


For many people, particularly in rural communities, conventional bus services are unable to meet their transport needs because the services are infrequent, unavailable or physically inaccessible. In most cases, Community Transport services attempt to meet these needs by offering door to door transport or opportunities for onward travel through connections with conventional bus and rail.

Community Transport services offer a variety of transport solutions to improve accessibility to other services and facilities for the people of Suffolk. These transport services are operated by not for profit community groups and rely heavily on volunteers.


Services available in Suffolk

Dial A Ride usually use minibuses to operate a demand led, first come, first served, service within a defined area. They are fully adapted to meet the needs of people with mobility impairment. Fares are charged per passenger and all journeys are pre-booked by or on behalf of passengers registered with the service. Minibuses are often available for group use, with or without driver, during evenings and weekends.
Dial A Ride Leaflet (Adobe Acrobat PDF 776KB)

Community Car Services provide transport for people living in a defined area but may travel further afield although connections with conventional services are encouraged for long distance travel. They are operated mostly with volunteers using their own cars. Fares are charged at a rate per mile and per passenger. All journeys must be pre-booked.
Community Car Services Leaflet (Adobe Acrobat PDF 980KB)

Wheels within Wheels are services which operate in a similar manner to community car services except that the vehicles are adapted to include people with mobility difficulties. The vehicles are almost all owned and maintained by Suffolk County Council. Fares are charged at a rate per mile and per passenger. All journeys must be pre-booked.

Town Travels is a new service provided by Suffolk County Council and the WRVS to provide you with more convinient options for connections between your village and other destinations. It runs a bit like a taxi but for the fare of a bus!
Town Travels Leaflet (Adobe Acrobat PDF 293 KB)

Cosford Connect is a new service supported by Suffolk County Council and operated by Lavenham Area Mini Bus (LAMBS). If you are having difficulty getting where you want via scheduled bus or train services, Cosford Connect provides convenient options for connections between your village and other destinations. If you need to go further you can use the service to link up with an onward bus or train service. This personalised and convenient service will cost the same as a fare on a standard bus!
Cosford Connect Leaflet (Adobe Acrobat PDF 269 KB)

For more information contact the Customer Service Centre.