Transport and streets

Accessible Transport

Bus travel can get you out and about, for work, leisure or pleasure. But in the past it has often been difficult with disabilities. In the last few years, councils have been working closely with bus companies to get you a fair ride on many more services. Following the success of 'easy access' lo-liner buses, all future new bus deliveries to Stagecoach will feature low-step entrances and buggy zones. In time their entire fleet will feature lo-liner facilities.

Are you entitled to a bus pass? Select here.

There are other services that now make transport more accessible and these include Dial-a-bus, Ring 'n' Ride and the East Ayrshire Coalfield Community Transport service.

The Coalfield Community Transport service provides affordable and accessible transport for community and voluntary groups and individuals living in the Coalfield Area of East Ayrshire (Cumnock, New Cumnock, Dalmellington, Muirkirk etc).

Dial-a-Bus

Dial-a-Bus is managed by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and operates throughout East Ayrshire. All vehicles are wheelchair accessible, with low-floor ramp access. Applicants must hold a Strathclyde Concessionary Travel card.

• an accessible service from as near as possible to your home, to destination
• the driver will assist the passenger on and off the bus (but not into or out of their homes)
• passengers can take an escort if required.

Dial-a Bus can be used for:

• recreational and social activities
• access to local facilities including health centres and shopping centres
• visiting friends and hospital visiting
• keeping hospital appointments
• getting to your local train station to catch a train and collection on your return
  

Dial-a-Bus is available to people who cannot use or have difficulty in using ordinary buses but you must meet any of the conditions listed under 1 to 3 below. If none of these apply to you then you may still be able to use Dial-a-Bus (see 4-5 below).

1. Receipt of any one of the following Department of Social Security (DSS) allowances:
   Attendance allowance;
   Disability living allowance – mobility component at the higher rate;
   War pensioners' mobility supplement
2. Registered as blind
3. Over 80 years old
4. If none of the above apply you may still qualify to use Dial-a-Bus. You may be required to be medically assessed by a medical officer from the appropriate health board.
5. Temporary registration
   Applicants with a temporary disability such as a broken leg may apply for temporary registration for four months.

You must complete an application form to use Dial-a-Bus. This can be collected at any SPT Travel Centre or by post.

Ring 'n' Ride

Ring 'n' Ride is designed to serve people and communities in rural areas of Strathclyde who don't currently have a local bus service or have poor public transport links. Ring 'n' ride is for individual passengers or group bookings. All services are operated by low floor, wheelchair-accessible buses.

The Irvine Valley service (Service 500) operates in and around the valley and provides links to

• Kilmarnock, Kilmaurs, Stewarton and Dunlop train stations
• Kilmarnock, Kilmaurs and Knockentiber town centres; and
• Crosshouse Hospital
  

The Three Valleys service (Service 900) operates in and around the rural Three Valleys area of South Lanarkshire and provides links to Crossford, Darvel, East Kilbride, Lanark, Larkhall Crossk Hairmyres Hospital, Hamilton and Wishaw.

Journeys can be booked by:

• phoning the SPT booking line
• by text message (to register for this service call the booking line)
  Booking Line - 0845 128 4036 (Monday - Friday 0900 - 1600)

For full details visit the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport website at http://www.spt.co.uk/

Kilmarnock Shopper Hopper community bus service is available to all members of the public. This makes travelling between shopping facilities quick and easy