What is the Community Car Scheme?
The Community Car Scheme is a service designed with care and consideration for individuals who face challenges in using public transport. This could be due to mobility issues or other special needs that make public transport inaccessible for them.
This service is safe, secure and affordable, providing a door-to-door service, which means our volunteers will pick you up from your home and drop you back at your doorstep. This ensures a comfortable journey for you.
Our volunteers are the backbone of this service. They generously offer their time and use their own cars to provide this service. Most of our volunteers’ cars can accommodate folded wheelchairs, ensuring that even those with mobility aids can use our service. However, it’s important to note that our volunteers are not trained to assist with transferring from a wheelchair to the car and vice versa. Therefore, users must be capable of doing this independently.
If you’re a wheelchair user and unable to transfer independently, don’t worry. Please give us a call and speak to a member of our staff. We strive to accommodate everyone’s needs and may be able to arrange for you to use our specially designed wheelchair-accessible car.
We hope this service brings a positive change in your life by making your travel easier and more comfortable. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to help! 😊
Where are Community Cars available?
Community Cars, a service that brings comfort and convenience to your doorstep, has been operating in various locations for many years.
Our journey began in the towns of Borehamwood and Shenley in the year 2001. With the support and positive feedback from our users, we expanded our services to Potters Bar in 2009.
Today, we are proud to say that our services are available across the entire borough of Hertsmere. This includes the following locations:
- Aldenham: A beautiful village with a rich history.
- Borehamwood: Known for its vibrant community.
- Bushey: A town with stunning natural beauty.
- Elstree: Famous for its film and television studios.
- Potters Bar: A bustling town with a strong community spirit.
- Radlett: A picturesque village with a warm and welcoming community.
- Ridge: Known for its peaceful and serene environment.
- Shenley: A charming village with a strong sense of community.
- South Mimms: A historic village with a rich cultural heritage.
- Well End: A quiet and peaceful hamlet.
So, no matter where you are in Hertsmere, you can count on Community Cars to be there for you. We are always ready to assist you with your travel needs. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact us. We’re here to help! 😊
Does the Community Car Scheme Cost Anything?
Yes, the Community Car Scheme does have a cost associated with it, but we’ve made sure it’s affordable for everyone.
To start using our service, you’ll need to become a member. The annual membership fee is £10 and the individual membership year runs from September to August.
Once you’re a member, here’s how the charges work for each journey:
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First Five Miles: There’s a minimum charge of £4. This covers your journey for the first five miles. So, whether you travel one mile or five miles, the cost will be £4.
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After Five Miles: If your journey is longer than five miles, there’s an additional cost. For every mile you travel beyond the first five miles, you’ll be charged an extra 60p.
For example, if you travel seven miles, you’ll pay the minimum charge of £4 for the first five miles, plus an additional £1.20 for the two extra miles (60p x 2). So, the total cost of your journey would be £5.20.
Please do get in touch with us if you have any further queries here.
How Can You Book a Community Car?
Booking a Community Car is a simple and straightforward process. We’ve made it easy for you to arrange your travel with us.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
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Decide When You Want to Travel: Think about the date and time you’d like to use our service. Remember, we need at least five working days’ notice to arrange your travel. This helps us ensure we have a volunteer available for your journey.
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Contact Us: Once you’ve decided when you want to travel, the next step is to get in touch with us. You can do this in three ways:
- Fill the Form: Simply click on the button below and fill in our Transport Booking Form. Once we've received your submission, we'll contact you back with a confirmation and further details!
- Email Us: You can send an email to travel@communities1st.org.uk. In your email, please include your name, contact details, the date and time you want to travel and any special requirements you might have.
- Call Us: If you prefer to speak to someone directly, you can give us a call. Our phone number is 01727 649980. One of our friendly team members will be happy to assist you with your booking.
P.S. Our telephone lines are open on Mondays - Fridays, 08:00 - 16:00.
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Wait for Confirmation: After you’ve contacted us, we’ll arrange your travel and send you a confirmation. This will include the details of your journey and the name of your volunteer driver.
And that’s it! You’re all set for your journey with Community Cars. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please feel free to ask. We’re here to help! 😊
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