Dial A Ride

The Dial A Ride service provides a door-to-door transport service for people of all ages with limited mobility who are unable to use ordinary buses. The driver will give you any help you need to get on or off the vehicle, they have been designed for easy access and are wheelchair accessible.

We provide a reliable, personal and friendly service designed to help you enjoy greater freedom and independence – all our drivers are fully trained to ensure your journey is as comfortable and easy as possible.

"Thank you for the help you have given me over the last few years and enabled me to go out so often at a reasonable cost.  The level of service you provided was more than just getting from A to B."

Who is it for?

This service is for people, of any age, who cannot use existing public transport due to mobility impairment or disability, whether temporary or permanent.  Our vehicles can accommodate wheelchairs, walking frames, shopping trolleys and assistance dogs.

What can it be used for?

People use the service for a variety of journeys - for shopping, meeting friends, visiting, appointments such as hospital, doctor, dentist, optician etc

Where can you go?

This service operates door to door, throughout the borough of Swindon together with Purton, Lydiard and Broad Hinton.

You can use this service to travel to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon and further afield to hospitals in Bath Oxford etc.

It can also be used for long distance trips including journeys to airports, holiday destinations (subject to driver availability).

"I am partially sighted and the drivers make sure I get on and off the bus safely."

When does it operate?

9.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday – except Bank Holidays. Evening, weekend and out of hours journeys by prior arrangement (subject to driver availability).

How do I book a journey?

You need to book a place in advance by telephoning 01793 616050 Monday to Friday from 10am. If your trip is health related we will ask you for an appointment time, destination/hospital and department.  Please ensure you allow enough time for your appointment and any possible delay when you book your journey home.

Local journeys can be booked up to one month in advance. Long distance bookings and hospital/medical appointment bookings may be made further ahead.

Bookings may be made on the day if space is available.

Do I need to be registered?

Before you can use the Dial A Ride service, you need to register a few details with us.  All information will be treated as confidential. To do this phone the booking line on 01793 616050 or email transport@dialarideswindon.org.uk and we will send you an information pack containing a registration form which needs to be completed and returned to us.  All it will cost you is a stamp!

If you need to use a wheelchair to travel we will have to check that it can be safely transported on our vehicles before we can take you out.  We can only transport wheelchairs that have been crash tested.  Most "lite" aluminium framed attendant chairs are not suitable.

How much does it cost?

Fares are comparable to taxi rates. Minimum charge is £5.50 per person for journeys up to two miles (journey distance calculated by Google Maps).

Payment is made to the driver in cash, by cheque or with Swindon Borough Council Concessionary Travel vouchers which can be used up to a maximum of £15 per person, per journey. 

If you need to travel with someone because you are unable to travel alone, the person travelling with you is not charged an extra fare.

(Effective from 1st  September 2023 and subject to periodic change.)

Download the Dial A Ride Registration Form

'Dial A Ride is an amazing service without which I wouldn't go out nearly as much. All drivers are excellent, and I find that as long as you can be reasonably flexible with times that you can very often get transport booked. When I have had an appointment, I say, and the best is done to accommodate this’.