Dial-a-Ride
What is Dial-a-Ride?
A door to door transport service using fully accessible vehicles that can carry both wheelchair and seated passengers. Dial-a-Ride is available to anyone who lives in Southampton who cannot use mainstream public transport due to a disability. The service is provided by SCA Transport on behalf of Southampton City Council.
When can I travel?
Vehicle operating times are between 9.15am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Where can I go?
We can take passengers anywhere within the City of Southampton. This can include trips to shopping centres, theatres, libraries, hairdressers, opticians and visiting friends and relatives. If you’d like to go somewhere just call us to see if it’s possible. We cannot take you to hospital appointments, day centres or the GP. These trips should be arranged by the hospital, social services or your doctor.
Can a friend or relative come with me?
Yes, as long as we have room on the bus for them. They have to pay the same fare and must be picked up and dropped off at the same place as you.
How do I book?
You need to become a Dial-a-Ride member to use the service. Membership is free and then you pay for each journey you book. Call us on 023 8022 2289 to ask for a membership application form or visit Southampton Dial-a-Ride. To book a trip you need to telephone up to 7 days in advance between 9am-4pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). Bookings are taken on a first come first
served basis. We can’t promise that we have spaces available every time you want to travel, however, we will always do our best to help. You are allowed to have a maximum of three journeys booked at any one time.
If you’d like to book a Dial-a-Ride trip to connect you to a train or coach please call us at least a week in advance and we will let you know if we can help.
Fares
Fares depend on your destination and whether it is a single or return trip. All journeys must be within the City of Southampton.
Journey type Single Return Up to 3 miles £2.50 £4.50
Between 3 – 6 miles £3.50 £6.00
Over 6 miles £4.00 £7.00
On the day
To allow for road or weather conditions, pick up time may be 10 minutes either side of the time you have booked. Please make sure you are ready to leave 10 minutes before your booked time.
Outings
We also offer our Dial-a-Ride members a number of day trips throughout the year. These include visits to shopping centres, garden centres and other places of interest outside the city. A timetable of outings is available on our buses and on our website.
Cancellations
If you are unable to go on the journey you have booked please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer the space to someone else.
We have an answer phone available for messages when the office is closed.
Who owns Dial-a-Ride?
Dial-a-Ride is a service from SCA Transport. SCA Transport is part of the Social Care in Action group of charitable social enterprises. Social in Action, Registered Charity in England and Wales number 1096903.
SCA Transport can be contacted on tel 023 8022 2033 or email dialaride@sciagroup.co.uk