Hassle-Free Shopping
Tired of juggling heavy grocery bags and dealing with crowded public transport? The Shopper Bus from Communities 1st is here to make your life easier. Enjoy the convenience of door-to-store service, with our friendly buses picking you up right from your doorstep. This service is useful for anyone who is struggling to use public transport for any reason. Say goodbye to waiting at bus stops or figuring out tricky routes.
Our helpful drivers are always on hand to help, and our vehicles feature low floors and wheelchair accessibility, ensuring a comfortable ride for everyone. The Shopper Bus is an affordable, stress-free alternative to taxis and public transport, designed to make your shopping trips a breeze.
Enjoy hassle-free shopping—a ride to independence and joy!
Which routes do Shopper Buses take?
Hertsmere
| Location | Days | Destinations |
| Borehamwood | Tuesdays | Morrisons or Tesco |
| Bushey and Bushey Heath | Mondays | Tesco Extra (Watford) |
| Potters Bar | Fridays | Tesco |
| Radlett | Thursdays | London Colney Shopping Park |
Three Rivers
| Location | Days | Destinations |
| Abbots Langley, Bedmond, Leavesden | Tuesdays | ASDA and Sainsbury's (Watford) |
| Rickmansworth, Moor Park, Mill End, Chorleywood | Thursdays and Fridays | Waitrose and Tesco |
| Sarratt, Chandler's Cross, Loudwater, Croxley Green | Tuesdays | Waitrose and Tesco (Rickmansworth) |
| South Oxhey, Carpenders Park, Chorleywood | Thursdays and Fridays | Waitrose and Tesco (Rickmansworth) |
Watford
| Location | Days | Destinations |
| Woodside, Meriden, Stanborough, Leggats, Tudor, Callowland | Mondays | ASDA and Sainsbury's |
| Nascot, Park, Central, Oxhey, Vicarage, Holywell | Tuesdays | Aldi, Lidl and Tesco |
Welwyn Hatfield
| Locations | Days | Destinations |
| Cuffley, Welwyn Garden City |
Wednesdays | Morrisons and Tesco |
| Hatfield, Welham Green |
Thursdays | Aldi, ASDA and Tesco |
| Hatfield Villages, Welwyn Garden City | Fridays | Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose |
| Welwyn Garden City | Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays | Aldi, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Waitrose |
| Welwyn | Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays | Aldi, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Waitrose |
Community Bus to Jimmy Mac's Lunch Club
We have a service running Monday - Friday taking passengers to Jimmy Mac's Lunch Club at The Hive. If you'd like to learn more about this service, click the button below.
Does Shopper Buses cost anything?
To start using our service you have to be a member. Our membership is £10 per year (September to August term). Once a member, fares are:
- Return Journey: £6
- Single Journey: £3
- Carers: £2 (return) or £1 (single).
Payment is required upfront to confirm your booking.
Special Offer: Save 20%
Enjoy a 20% discount when booking four or more bus trips in advance!
For example, four round trips cost £19.20 instead of £24. Payment must be made online via phone or bank transfer—cash isn’t accepted for this offer.
This deal also applies to the Welwyn Hatfield Community Bus (routes to Jimmy Mac's).
How can you book a seat on the shopper bus?
- Plan Your Trip: Decide the day and time you’d like to travel and book in advance to secure your seat.
- Book Your Spot: For assistance, email your details (name, contact info, trip time/location, and special requirements) to travel@communities1st.org.uk, or call 01727 649980 (Mon-Fri, 8 AM–4 PM) if you'd prefer to speak to someone directly.
- Confirm & Register: We’ll confirm your booking and collect basic info to tailor the service to you.
Volunteer with the Shopper Bus
"The Shopper Bus service has been an absolute godsend."
We are always looking for volunteers to help us deliver this vital service.
Bus Buddies: Your Chummy Travel Mates
Bus Buddies act as the perfect link between passengers and drivers. They’re not just helpers, but also friendly faces who enjoy having a natter with passengers.
What Do Bus Buddies Do?
Whilst the driver focuses on the route and parking safely, Bus Buddies assist passengers in various ways. They help passengers to get on and off the bus, fetch items in the supermarket, and carry shopping.
A Word from Our Volunteer Driver
Mike, one of our dedicated volunteer drivers, shares his experience:
“When you’re driving, it’s handy to have another pair of hands. Things don’t always go to plan and having another helper can be a great relief. For instance, finding a parking spot can sometimes be a bit tricky. It’s good to have someone who can stay with the passengers whilst I park the vehicle.”
Join Us as a Bus Buddy
Our vehicles are parked at our main office in St Albans, which would be your base for volunteering. However, if you live near where our routes start, we might be able to pick you up at the start of the day.
Fancy becoming a Bus Buddy? Click the button below to register your interest.
Volunteer Drivers: Steering Our Shopper Buses
Our volunteer drivers are at the helm of our Shopper Buses! They ensure our vehicles reach passengers safely and promptly, ferrying them to supermarkets and then back home. Drivers must possess a clean license, be trustworthy and reliable, and have excellent punctuality. Click here for more information.
A Word from Our Trusted Driver
Simon, one of our trusted drivers, shares his experience:
"About ninety percent of the people I’m giving lifts to can’t get out into the community. They couldn’t do without the service. It not only helps them do their shopping, but it provides social contact. They couldn’t do without it.”
Join Us as a Volunteer Driver
Our vehicles are parked at our main office in St Albans, which would be your base for volunteering.
Fancy becoming a volunteer driver? Click the button below to register your interest.
Testimonials from Our Drivers and Bus Buddies
At Communities 1st, we’re proud of the Shopper Bus service we provide and the difference it makes in people’s lives. But don’t just take our word for it - here’s what our dedicated Drivers and Bus Buddies have to say:
- Supportive Environment: “Communities 1st staff are there to support you… They are kind and caring and offer great support.”
- Teamwork: “You feel part of a team working for a common good.”
- Personal Fulfillment: “Seeing the difference that you make really does make you feel good.”
- Making a Difference: “Helping people get out and about who would otherwise be isolated is the main reason I do this.”
- Perfect for Retirees: Driving is the “perfect job for retired people!”
- Work-Life Balance: “This suits me well and fits in with the rest of my life.”
- Unique Experience: “Driving for Communities 1st [has] a ‘feel good factor’. No two days are the same!”
- Daily Impact: “We hope to make a difference every day.”
Join our team today by showing your interest through the form below and experience the joy of making a difference in your community!
Discover Your Perfect Volunteering Role
Are you interested in volunteering, but unsure about which role would suit you best? We’ve got you covered!
Explore Our Volunteer Blogs
Our Volunteer Blogs are a treasure trove of experiences shared by our volunteers. They offer a glimpse into the diverse roles our volunteers undertake.
By exploring these blogs, you can gain insights into what our volunteers do and identify a role that might align with your skills and interests.
Ready to embark on your volunteering journey? Click here to explore our Volunteer Blogs.