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
- doctor, dentist or optician appointments
- shopping
- visiting friends or family
It does not duplicate other council transport provision and therefore cannot be used for transport to day care, school, nursery or college and cannot be used for hospital appointments/treatment. If you need transport to get you to your hospital appointment please check your eligibility for Patient Transport by contacting the Patient Transport Service run by North West Ambulance on 0800 032 3240.
The Rural Wheels system changed on 1 April 2024. The Smartcards have been phased out and payments are now made over the phone at the time of booking.
Passengers may be asked to be flexible about their travel time and also to share transport which will be at a reduced fare.
To book transport contact the Rural Wheels team between 9am and midday by calling: 01539 713350.
Village Wheels
Provides a timetabled service for communities to their nearest town and uses the Rural Wheels membership scheme, planning service for booking and payment. To join village wheels scheme call 01539 713350. Your membership will then arrive by post.
As Village Wheels is not a registered bus service passengers are unable to use their concessionary NOWcards.
Village wheels to Ulverston scheme
A minibus scheme for residents of Gleaston, Scales, Little Urswick, Great Urswick and High Carley
providing Tuesday, Thursday and Friday transport to and from Ulverston.
| Location | Times | Single fares |
|---|---|---|
| Gleaston | 9:35am and 1:50pm | £1.50 |
| Scales | 9:40am and 1:55pm | £1.25 |
| Little Urswick | 9:45 and 2pm | £1.00 |
| Great Urswick | 9:48 and 2:03pm | £0.75 |
| High Carley | 9:50 and 2:05pm | £0.50 |
| Ulverston | 10:00 and 2:15pm |
Return from Ulverston 1:10pm and 5pm.
Please book transport at the latest by midday, the day before you wish to travel, however no further than a month in advance. Payment by credit / debit card will be taken at the time of confirming the booking. To book please call: 01539 713350.
Community Wheels
Government funding has helped to buy 6 accessible minibuses that provide regular transport, driven by volunteer drivers in areas where scheduled bus services are not available.
Map showing where community wheels/village wheels scheme operates (blue routes) (PDF, 179KB)
We are working with a local steering group to deliver the service:
We will:
- provide the minibus asset and retain ownership of the vehicle
- work with the community through the steering group to develop the service that meets evidenced need
- support the recruitment of volunteer drivers
- ensure volunteer drivers are trained to MiDAS standard and have full vehicle familiarisation
- ensure that the community minibuses are legal, roadworthy and in the correct location. The day to day aspects of this will be delivered by Cumbria Community Transport on our behalf
- monitor usage, and provide information to the steering group regarding cost of provision and income generated
The Community will:
- form a steering group and take ownership of the service
- work with us to develop, support and promote the service
- recruit a pool of volunteer drivers from their community to drive the minibus
Drivers will:
- need to have a full driving licence
- need Category D1 on their license if they passed their test after 1997 (funding available)
- have volunteer mileage expenses covered at 45p per mile
Passengers will:
- need to be registered with the Rural Wheels service and should pre-book their seat on the transport. This is because of the Section 19 permit legislation under which community minibuses can operate and the need for users of the vehicle to be part of a "membership" scheme
- passengers fares are paid to the Rural Wheels Planning Service using a credit/debit card at a rate of 25p per mile. Concessionary NoWcards can't be used on "Community Wheels" services as they are not scheduled bus services.
The minibuses are also available for hire to "not-for-profit" groups through Cumbria Community Transport. This helps to generate additional income and enhance the service viability. To hire a minibus telephone: 01768 721207.
Community Wheels to Appleby
This service provides a Friday morning minibus to Appleby, driven by local volunteers for residents of Sandford, Warcop, Ormside, Asby, Dufton, Knock, Silverband, Milburn, Barrowmoor and Scattergate Cul de-sac.
To use the service, you will need to become a member of Community Wheels. There is no membership fee just a fare of 25p per mile per single or return trip. You don't have to book each week as you can make a regular booking for a seat on the bus up to a month in advance.
Based on current community need, approximate times for these routes are:
Route 1:
Depart from Sandford at 9:05am picking up at Warcop, Ormside and Asby, arriving at Appleby at approximately 9:50am. You may be able to connect to Penrith using public bus service 563. The journey returns from Appleby at midday or 2:25pm.
Route 2:
Depart from Appleby at 10am picking up at Dufton, Knock, Silverband, Milburn,
arriving at Appleby at 10:40am. Return from Appleby at 1pm.
Route 3:
Depart from Appleby at 10:40am, picking up at Barrowmoor and Scattergate Cul-de-sac, arriving at Appleby at 11am. Return from Appleby at 1:40pm.
To book a seat contact us by midday the day before you wish to travel:
Telephone: 0333 240 69 65 (option 5)
Mobile: 07788 396194
Email: rural.wheels@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Development and volunteering opportunities
If you would like to know more about Community Wheels and discuss how this could be a solution to some of your communities transport needs or you are interested in volunteering as a minibus driver please contact the Sustainable Services Team:
Mobile: 07788 396194
Telephone: 0333 240 69 65 (option 5 - charged at local rate)
Transport providers opportunities
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:
Call: 01539 713350
Email: integrated.transport@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
General enquiries
If you have any enquiries about these schemes and would like further information please get in touch:
Telephone: 01539 713350
Email: rural.wheels@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Post:
The Rural Wheels Team
PO Box 415
Carlisle
CA1 9GU