How does the scheme work?

Anyone eligible to use this service must contact the local organiser and give details of the transport required. Twenty-four hours notice is essential except in emergencies.  If the trip is eligible the local organiser will ask one of the volunteer drivers to help. The driver then makes the trip noting the total mileage (which cannot be more than 50 miles for a round trip). The passenger makes a contribution of between 25p and 35p a mile based upon the mileage travelled and receives a receipt from the driver (level of passenger contribution varies from scheme to scheme). The additional costs are subsidised by Dorset County Council.  The Dorset Country Cars scheme is run entirely by volunteers.

Eligibility to use the service

If local people are not able to use public transport or have no other means of transport they are eligible to use this service:

• To visit the doctor, dentist, clinic, or chiropodist

• To visit friends or relatives in hospital. For hospital appointments passengers will need to use the hospital car service)

• To collect prescriptions

• To connect with bus, coach or rail services

• For any other essential trips for which there is no reasonable alternative means of transport

Every effort will be made to help passengers although it may not always be possible to provide transport for every journey requested. Transport provision is at the discretion of the organiser or on the advice of the county council.

Is there a scheme in my area?

Schemes operate in the following areas:

• Name: Dorset Passenger Transport
  Email: publictransport@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 225165
  Fax: 01305 225166
  Full details for Dorset Passenger Transport