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How the scheme works

The Ring & Ride service offers frail elderly and disabled people transport facilities to do their shopping. Wheelchair accessible buses take passengers to and from their own front door to Plymouth City Centre, Tesco Supermarket at Transit Way or Sainsbury’s at Marsh Mills.

From April 1st 2006, concessionary travel schemes have been implemented throughout the UK enabling free travel for elderly and disabled people using public transport at off-peak times. Plymouth City Council have decided to extend this concession to include the Ring and Ride scheme. Consequently there will be no charge to use the Ring and Ride bus service for eligible passengers.

City Centre passengers can be dropped off at the specially designated Ring & Ride bus bay in Royal Parade [currently outside the Theatre Royal] or at our premises in Mayflower East Car Park. They can then collect a scooter or wheelchair if they wish. Passengers should inform us of their destination when booking.

All journeys must be pre-booked by contacting Shopmobility & Community Transport - Tel: 600633. Passengers should book their journey no later than 24 hours in advance, but as the service and number of places are limited it is normally advisable to book earlier.

We take bookings up to twelve days in advance.

Passengers can also take an able bodied partner or escort (discretionary) if they are in need of assistance. The buses also have spaces for two wheelchair passengers and tail-lifts to allow easy access. Guide Dogs are also accepted.

The buses operate within the city boundary which is split into three zones.

• Zone 1: City west of Alma Rd, Outland Rd, Tavistock Rd and north of Fort Austin Ave (west), Forder Valley Rd.
• Zone 2: City east of Alma Rd, Outland Rd, Tavistock Rd and south of Fort Austin Ave (west), Forder Valley Rd.
• Zone 3: Plymstock and Plympton.

Buses are usually limited to 9 seated passengers and 2 wheelchair passengers. This restriction is due to the time it takes to pick up all the passengers from their homes - if we picked up more than this number it would restrict the time available for shopping etc. Due to the nature of the service we are unable to guarantee ‘pick up’ or ‘drop off’ times.

Whilst most drivers are willing to assist people in carrying a reasonable amount of shopping, we trust passengers will show some consideration and not abuse the situation, particularly when the bus is full.

NB: For Health & Safety reasons, aisles should be kept clear and bags / shopping trolleys should not exceed 20lb in weight - drivers may split if they consider items are too heavy.

The service operates Monday to Friday - full details are shown on the zone timetables.