Have you ever been offered the opportunity to join a group or take part in a therapeutic activity only to discover that it’s too far away or too expensive for you to reach? Sometimes, getting from A to B in Somerset can feel like a bit of a mission, especially if you live in one of the more rural areas. Public transport can be infrequent, and for many of us, driving isn’t an option. This is where community transport can step in and help, offering friendly, accessible services so you can get to appointments, do the shopping, or get to that hard-to-reach therapy group.
Staying connected is important to our wellbeing, so let’s take a look at some of the community transport options available across our county.
Your Guide to Getting Around
Community transport is a little different from regular bus or taxi services. It’s often run by dedicated volunteers and non-profit organisations who understand the needs of their local community. Many of the services are “demand responsive,” which means they don’t follow a fixed route but instead come to you when you book them.
Think Travel has a journey planner. Enter your starting point, destination, departure and arrival time, and details of any access needs, and the results will show what public and community transport options are available for the trip. It is a fantastic tool, and optionally, you can register with the site so your journey preferences are saved and you can post to their community noticeboard.
Here is a breakdown of some options available in different parts of Somerset. OMH doesn’t run these services, but they are a resource we thought you’d like to know about. When planning your journey, it’s a good idea to check out each organisation’s website or give them a call.
Mendip Area
Mendip Community Transport. This charitable organisation has been helping people get around since 2002, providing mobility solutions to individuals and groups who face potential isolation because of a lack of transportation. They have a large fleet of accessible minibuses and a network of over 50 volunteer drivers.
Some of their services include:
Hospital Cars: A volunteer-run service that provides transport to hospital and other medical appointments. They ask for a charge based on mileage and an administration fee. Holders of an English National Concessionary Bus Pass may qualify for a reduction in charges.
The ‘Slinky’ service: This is a door-to-door, accessible bus service for those who can’t access conventional transport. It’s perfect for health appointments, clubs, or just visiting a friend.
They also operate specific bus routes, like Route 665 between Kingweston and Yeovil, and Route 67, connecting villages to the city of Wells.
Group bookings: Accessible minibuses can be booked for community groups.
To find out about ticket prices and concessions, just give Mendip Community Transport a call on 01749 880613.
All images courtesy of @northtography
Sedgemoor Area
For those in the Sedgemoor area, options include the friendly Wedmore Community Bus, which serves residents of Wedmore and the surrounding parishes.
The bus leaves from Wedmore Car Park at The Lerburne at around 9.30 am to start picking up passengers and returns between 1.30 and 3.00 pm, depending on the destination. There are five Scheduled Services:
- Taunton – Tuesday (additional pickups at Mark, Bason Bridge and East Huntspill)
- Bridgwater – Wednesday (pickups at Mark, Bason Bridge and East Huntspill)
- Weston-s-Mare – Thursday (pickups at Stoughton, Allerton and Mark)
- Street and Glastonbury – Friday (pickups at Theale and Godney)
- Cribbs Causeway – some Mondays (pickup at Mark)
The services run to set locations at the destination:
- Taunton – The bus station and East Street
- Bridgwater – Angel Place and the Retail Park
- Weston-super-Mare – Waterloo Street and the Retail Park
- Street – Clarks Village and Sainsburys
- Cribbs Causeway – the Mall
To find out more or check ticket prices, visit the Wedmore Community Bus website.
People in Sedgemoor can also make use of some of the services provided by Mendip Community Transport (see the details above).
South Somerset Area
To free yourself up and get around in South Somerset, take a look at Community Transport South West, a non-profit organisation offering accessible transport to people who are unable to use regular public transport due to location, disability, or other access challenges.
Their services include:
- Minibuses: transport for medical appointments, shopping trips, social visits, and more in Yeovil, Martock, South Petherton, Crewkerne, Chard, Ilminster, Somerton and Langport.
- Community Cars: Over 40 volunteer drivers use their own cars to take people on journeys, including long-distance medical trips to places like Taunton, Exeter, or further afield.
- ‘Slinky’ service: This demand-responsive bus service is also available, helping people get to where they need to go in Martock, South Petherton, Crewkerne, Chard, Ilminster, Langport and Somerton. Check your eligibility, register, and book on their website.
Call 01935 477399 to find out more or complete their enquiry form.
More community transport options are available from Crewkerne Voluntary Transport, a volunteer-run charity for individuals and groups in and around the town. Call 01460 271669 or email crewkernevoluntarytransport@gmail.com to find out more.
South Somerset Ring and Ride, run by South Somerset Community Accessible Transport (SSCAT), offers a pre-bookable minibus serving Bruton, Castle Cary, and Wincanton for people who cannot use regular bus routes. Give them a call on 01963 33864 or email sscatbus@gmail.com to get the details.
Taunton and West Somerset Area
If you live in this area, services from Community Transport South West, Crewkerne Voluntary Transport, and the South Somerset Ring and Ride (see above) are available, which all cover parts of the region. There are a few more options, including:
Accessible Transport West Somerset (ATWest): Provides services like shopper buses and group hire.
Blackdown Support Group: Offers a volunteer car scheme for medical appointments and a wheelchair-accessible transport service.
Exmoor Community Bus: Used by organisations within the Exmoor area.
WiveyLink: A service for residents of Wiveliscombe and the surrounding areas.
BickWatch and Watchet Drives: A community car service for residents of the Watchet area—call 07599 955096 (Monday to Thursday 9.30 am to 12.30 pm) to find out more.
Slinky Digital is available in Taunton, Wellington, and surrounding areas, too. Anyone can use the service, provided they don’t have access to a public bus service to make their journey. Slinky Digital offers ‘on demand’ flexible bus services with no set route for passengers who book in advance. There’s even a simple to use app to help you book your journey. Register and find out how to download the Slinky app at the link above or use the Slinky Booking webpage and select sign up. If you have any problems, give them a call on 01823 331266 (weekdays between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm).
For more information about the various services we’ve outlined, visit their websites linked above. You can find a full list of community transport options across the county on Somerset Council’s website.
Please note
Times and service details given in this article were correct at the time of publication. Please contact the individual transport providers directly to double-check schedules and availability before planning your journey.