Rural Wheels

Rural Wheels provides door to door transport for people who do not have, or are unable to access, scheduled transport or have a volunteer driver available. 

The service can be used for a variety of purposes including: 

• making connections with buses or trains
• appointments with doctors, dentists or opticians
• shopping
• visiting friends or family

You may be asked to be flexible about your travel time and also to share transport, which will be at a reduced fare.

For general information about the scheme, please contact us on 01228 226420 

How to apply for the scheme

If you would like to join the scheme as a passenger, please complete the application form:

Rural Wheels application form (PDF , 3MB)

You can send your application form to us by:

Email: rural.wheels@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk 
Post: Westmorland and Furness Council, PO Box 304, Kendal, LA9 9GY

How to book and pay for journeys

To book transport contact the Rural Wheels team between 9am and midday by calling: 01539 713350.

We take payments over the phone at the time of booking, so you will need your bank or credit card to hand before you call. 

Journeys that are not covered by Rural Wheels

The Rural Wheels scheme does not duplicate any transport service that we already provide.  Rural Wheels therefore cannot be used for transport to and from: 

• day care 
• school
• nursery 
• college 
• hospital appointments and treatment 

If you need transport to get you to your hospital appointment, please check your eligibility for Patient Transport by contacting the North West Ambulance Patient Transport Service. 

You can also contact the Patient Transport Service by telephone on 0800 032 3240.

Opportunities for transport operators

If you would like to know more about becoming a Rural Wheels operator, for example, if you are a Private Hire or Hackney Carriage Licence holder please contact the Rural Wheels team:

Phone: 01539 713350
Email: rural.wheels@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk