Your Local Handybus

How We Operate                      

We are quite different from a normal bus service. The Handybus is set up to provide a transport service on a door-to-door basis for members of local formal and informal groups including local charities. Members of these groups are often elderly, have restricted mobility or are wheelchair users and not able to use or have access to local transport. Some live in isolated and remote locations.

 – Big, Bright and Red

Each group has a co-ordinator who defines the passenger list. If you are interested in a particular trip contact the co-ordinator who will then explain the trip and, if space is available, arrange for you to be picked up by the driver.

Kintbury Schedule – Kintbury Volunteer Group drivers run weekly shopping trips to Hungerford and Newbury.

Special Trips – There are also opportunities for special ‘one off’ trips for shopping, a half or full day out to a place of interest – just contact the Handybus organizer- see CONTACTS on the left. Weekdays are quite busy but we have spare capacity most evenings and weekends for special trips – but we rely on finding a willing volunteer driver! The Handybus has the ability to take one or two wheelchairs. We can also use the rear tail lift to help people get on board without using the steps.

All our drivers are friendly local volunteers. They are trained and assessed for this work. If you are interested in doing this rewarding work, please contact us. We also have a need for ‘passenger assistants’ who help people on and off the bus and generally look after the passengers ‘well-being’. No special skills are required for this role – just an interest in looking after people. If you are interested please click CONTACTS on the left and look at Handybus contact line for Hungerford.

The Handybus is run on a ‘not for profit’ basis so the suggested contributions are very affordable. However, we are not a cheap alternative to private hire and taxis. It is part of our contract that we do not compete with existing public transport or private hire/taxis. So boozy nights out are not covered!

The Handybus is a community service designed mainly for those who cannot use public transport, have special transport requirements or are members of a local charity.
If you have a requirement not covered by the above please give the Handybus contact a call, we usually find a solution.

Examples of some of our typical trips are those to Newbury. We have three organisers who plan monthly trips to Newbury town centre for shopping. Sometimes they also call at a supermarket (like Waitrose) as well as an occasional stop for fresh eggs at a farm on the return journey. For £2.50 you are collected from your front door and join 10 other people for the trip.

The Handybus usually parks in Camp Hopson’s car park and then you have a 90 minute or two hour stay. The driver is often back aboard the bus well before departure so if you are feeling tired or spent too much you can return to it!

If you would like to have a trial run before committing yourself further to CHAIN, please contact the office and they will be delighted to arrange it for you.

For further details please click  CONTACTS   and look at Handy bus contact line for Hungerford or Kintbury.

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