RACDV operates a minibus 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday for elderly and frail clients over state retirement age, resident in the RACDV Area of Benefit. This is a personalised, convenient and safe door-to-door service to use in getting to / from Day Centres, Clubs & Shopping Trips, etc. This transport is provided at a low, subsidised cost. Client using transport can refer to information Sheet No. 25 for details of current costs and new clients wishing to use this service are required to pre-register with Age Concern. Two 12/2 seater minibus covers the RACDV area. All buses are equipped with Forward Facing Seats, approved 3 point Seats Belts, First Aid Kit, Fire Fighting Equipment, mobile telephone, Trained and Experienced friendly Drivers, and full disabled access including access and carriage of wheelchairs. These minibuses operate a schedule every day, covering over the course of one week the majority of the large 110 square mile benefit area of RACDV, with the more popular or higher populated areas covered daily.
Please contact the Age Concern Office for further information.
The above Minibuses are normally available for Clients / Clubs / Day Centres to hire privately, either during the evening Monday to Friday and anytime at weekends. Limited availability may be available during weekday daytimes. Please enquire at the Age Concern Office for current rates which covers the vehicle hire, fuel, insurance, drivers wages, etc, but not parking or toll fees if applicable. The Hire period will include the time taken by the vehicle in travelling from its base to first pick up and return. Minibuses have a varied number of seats, from 12 to 22 and most can carry 1 or 2 wheelchairs in safety. Any person wishing to hire or have an inquiry should contact the Age Concern office for further details or to arrange a booking. Whilst short notice bookings may be possible, it is preferable to book in advance if possible. Minibus Hire is available to residents outside the RACDV area of benefit for private hire for a small surcharge.
Age Concern can, subject to availability, arrange individual one off transport journeys for elderly or disabled clients in the RACDV area via the kindness of unpaid volunteers using their own vehicles, making arrangements via volunteers from either Age Concern or volunteer bureaux. Current rates. Please note that mileage charges apply to/from the volunteer driver’s home or base, and that it may be more difficult to obtain the services of a volunteer for regular trips, rather than the one off trips. For short journeys, you are also advised to get a quote from a local taxi firm to compare charges, as taxi’s only charge from the client’s pick-up point to their destination. Some taxi’s have disabled access.
This service is for people who have difficulty using public transport. Residents pay an annual membership fee of £5 and then a subsidised fare for each journey that they make. It is operated by Kent Top Travel with support from Kent County Council. For an application form, please ring 01622 605349 and ask for “Transport Integration”. Members Tel: 0845 600 6501. (Covers Ash-cum-Ridley, Crockenhill, Eynsford, Farningham, Fawkham, Hartley, Hextable, Horton Kirby, New Ash Green, South Darenth, Swanley and West Kingsdown areas.)
Hospital In/Out Patients should check with their GP or Hospital Doctor/Nurse if a free Hospital Car Service is available in their circumstances. If as an in/out patient, or in an appropriate emergency, you could be entitled to free travel by Ambulance and this can be queried or arranged via the hospital or your doctor. Patients on any means tested benefits may be able to get their basic travel costs paid or reimbursed by the Department of Work & Pensions or by Pension Credit and enquiries should be made of your local DWP office or on 01795 562500 or the Pension Credit help-line, before you travel and incur costs.
Kent County Council provides England Bus Passes for residents over the age of eligibility. (For women this will be their pension age and for men it will be the pensionable age of a woman born on the same day.) These passes allow free off-peak travel on most buses anywhere within England. See Information Sheet 23 for further details. Some buses have disabled access.
Senior Railcards and Disabled Persons Railcards are available to purchase online or from National Railway stations. These allow rail travel at reduced fare.
Registered Disabled clients on the high mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) can apply for free road fund licence – apply at a main post office of your local DVLA Centre. Free road fund licence holders can also use most toll bridges or tunnels like the Dartford Crossing free of charge. Those in receipt of the high rate of DLA also have the option of acquiring a vehicle from a selection, normally for three years then renewable, under the Motorbility Scheme in place of their benefit with all major costs such as servicing, insurance, breakdown and road tax included. Genuine disabled clients may be able to apply for a concessionary blue badge parking ticket - contact KCC at 01622 605020 or application forms held at the Age Concern Office.
Age Concern can recommend a cheap Man with a Van, for low cost removals of furniture, etc, or a fully insured, approved and established Removal Company at a discounted but higher price. Please contact the Age Concern Office
Age Concern can advise on the lowest cost, reliable taxi firms including those with disabled access, can advise on bookings for up to 53?Seater coaches for outings & special events with a small discount on price, and can give advice on available or appropriate vehicles, including specialised vehicles and private ambulances for holiday or other purposes. If you feel that a special aid would assist you when travelling, Age Concern operates an extensive Disabled Aids Loan Service where you may borrow any required Aids to assist you. If you are a housebound resident in the RACDV area of benefit, Age Concern can arrange to visit you at home free of charge to deal with almost any matter. Please contact the Age Concern Office .
See Information Sheet 12 - Transport Services
