Community transport guide
Community transport provides services in areas where either:
- there is no public transport
- existing public transport can’t be used – like if you need wheelchair access.
Community transport is non-profit. It is developed by local people to serve their needs. Services may be provided by different vehicles. This depends on the needs of the community. Most do not run to a timetable but respond to requests.
- There are several community transport schemes operating in East Sussex. Destinations include:
- hospitals and doctors surgeries
- shopping centres
- workplaces
- places of entertainment
Find a community transport service
Who can use community transport?
Community transport can be used by everyone in the community. Some operators only carry selected groups. You can contact operators in your area to see if you could use the service.
Fares and concessionary passes
Each transport operator sets their own fares. Based on distance or zones and single or return journeys. Concessionary Travel pass holders may get a reduced fare. Always check with the operator before your journey.
What is East Sussex County Council’s role?
We work in partnership with other organisations. And make sure community transport schemes meet local needs. These organisations include:
- Primary Care Trusts
- local people
- community groups
- operators
We provide advice and support wherever possible, but the focus and control of these services remains with the local community.
Countywide community transport operators
These community transport services operate across the whole of the county and some surrounding areas.
To find operators in specific areas, use the Community Transport Map,
St John Ambulance
Areas: Throughout Sussex, further afield by arrangement
Contact: Transport Services department
Telephone: 01273 371511
Email: ambulance-services@sja.org.uk
Website: St John Ambulance
Community transport – Heathfield, Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells
Here is a list of operators in this area. Please contact the operator direct for details:
Age Concern Heathfield and District
Areas: Heathfield and surrounding communities. For elderly and incapacitated residents.
Minibus Transport: 01435 866960
Medical Car Service (essential journeys only): 01435 515090
Email: info@ageconcernheathfield.org.uk
Website: Age Concern Heathfield and District
Compaid Transport
Areas: Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells, Hastings & Uckfield
Contact: Mr Mark Gettings
Telephone: 01892 722297
Email: transport@compaid.org.uk
Website: Compaid Transport
Friends of Crowborough Hospital
Areas: Crowborough (hospital patients only)
Contact: Transport office
Telephone: 01892 664626
Email: enquiries@foch.org.uk
Website: Friends of Crowborough Hospital
HATCH Voluntary Car Scheme
Areas: Hartfield and Coleman’s Hatch
Contact: Linda Graham
Telephone: 01892 771331
Email: linda.graham@hartfieldonline.org
Mayfield & Five Ashes Community Cars
Areas: Mayfield and Five Ashes
Contact: Gerald Shepherd
Telephone: 01435 873575
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 10.30am and 5pm to 6pm
North Wealden Community Transport Partnership Ltd
Areas: North Wealden and adjacent Parishes
Contact: David & Linda Graham
Telephone: 01892 771332
Website: North Wealden Community Transport
Rotherfield St Martin Volunteer Driver Scheme
Areas: Rotherfield
Contact: Jo Evans or Thelma Goulding (Volunteer Driver Co-ordinator)
Telephone: 01892 853021
Email: rsmcentre@googlemail.com
Website: Rotherfield St Martin
Social Action Project (SAP)
Areas: Wadhurst
Contact: Mrs S Rodgers or Mrs J Wooding-Jones
Telephone: 01892 784191
Email: carilloncottage@talktalk.net
Website: Wadhurst village
Community transport – Hastings, Bexhill, Battle and Rye
Here is a list of operators in this area. Please contact the operator direct for details:
CTLA (Community Transport for the Lewes Area)
Areas: Lewes District, Eastbourne, Hastings (from October 2022)
Telephone: 01273 517332
Email: info@ctla.org.uk
Website: Community Transport for the Lewes Area
Bexhill Caring Community
Areas: Bexhill
Contact: Angela van Aalst
Telephone: 01424 215116
Email: angela@bexhillcaringcommunity.co.uk
Website: Bexhill Caring Community
Bexhill Community Bus
Areas: Bexhill
Contact: Mr Stuart Hardie
Telephone: 01424 222820
Email: info@bexhillcommunitybus.co.uk
Website: Bexhill Community Bus
Battle Area Community Transport
Areas: Battle and surrounding villages
Contact: Peter Spandley
Telephone: 01424 870955
Email: bactoffice@tiscali.co.uk
Website: Battle Area Community Transport
Rye & District Community Transport
Areas: Rye and surrounding villages
Contact: Pat Hughes
Telephone: 01797 227722
Brede Voluntary Car Scheme
Areas: Brede and Broad Oak (medical appointments only)
Contact: Councillor Carole Kynvin
Telephone: 01424 882123
Email: cskynvin@googlemail.com
Website: Brede community
Sedlescombe Lift Scheme
Areas: Sedlescombe (medical appointments only)
Contact: Councillor Pauline Glew
Telephone: 01424 870258
Email: Sedlescombe@freezone.co.uk
Website: Sedlescombe Parish Council
Community transport – Eastbourne and Hailsham
Here is a list of operators in this area. Please contact the operator direct for details:
Eastbourne Dial-a-Ride
Areas: Lewes District, Eastbourne
Contact: Mr Derek Barnett
Telephone: 01273 517332
Email: info@ctla.org.uk
Website: Community Transport for the Lewes Area
CTLA - Community transport across East Sussex
Areas: Lewes District, Eastbourne, Hastings
Telephone: 01273 517 332
Email: info@ctla.org.uk
Website: Community Transport for the Lewes Area
Cuckmere Buses
Areas: Lewes District, South Wealden District & Eastbourne
Contact: Mr Philip Ayers
Telephone: 01323 870920
Website: Cuckmere Buses
Community transport – Lewes, Newhaven, Seaford and Brighton & Hove
Here is a list of operators in this area. Please contact the operator direct for details:
CTLA (Community Transport for the Lewes Area)
Areas: Lewes District, Eastbourne, Hastings
Telephone: 01273 517332
Email: info@ctla.org.uk
Website: Community Transport for the Lewes Area
Cuckmere Buses
Areas: Lewes District, South Wealden District & Eastbourne
Contact: Mr Philip Ayers
Telephone: 01323 870920
Website: Cuckmere Buses
Havens Community Cars
Areas: Newhaven, Seaford and surrounding area
Telephone: 01273 918226
Email: Havens
Website:Havens Community Hub
Newhaven, Peacehaven and Seaford Lion’s Club
Areas: Newhaven, Peacehaven and Seaford Area
Telephone: 01323 898961
Email: minibus@npslions.co.uk
Website: Newhaven, Peacehaven & Seaford Lion’s Club
Community Transport (Brighton, Hove and Area Ltd)
Areas: Brighton & Hove, Lewes District & Group Hire throughout Sussex
Telephone: 01273 677559
Email: easylink@bhct.co.uk
Website: Community Transport – Brighton, Hove and area
Plumpton Voluntary Driving Scheme
Areas: Plumpton, Plumpton Green, East Chiltington
Telephone: 07855 213947
Email: geoff.medhurst@sky.com
Landport Travel Club (Sunday Bus)
Areas: Lewes and trips within a 15 mile radius
Email: rok@supanet.com
Telephone: 01273 476720
Seaford St James’ Trust
Areas: Seaford
Contact: Jeremy Knight
Telephone: 01323 492800
Website: Seaford St James’ Trust
Community transport – Uckfield, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead
Here is a list of operators in this area. Please contact the operator direct for details:
CTLA (Community Transport for the Lewes Area)
Areas: Lewes District, Eastbourne
Telephone: 01273 517332
Email: info@ctla.org.uk
Website: Community Transport for the Lewes Area
Bluebird Community Partnership
Areas: Lewes & Mid Sussex Districts
Contact: Lee Gander
Telephone: 01444 471919
Email: Bluebird253133@btopenworld.com
Website: Bluebird Community Partnership website
Forest Row Community Transport
Areas: Patients from Ashdown Forest Health Centre and/or Forest Row Parish and Ashurst Wood to enable them to attend medical/dental appointments, essentially covering most of Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
Telephone: 01342 822909 (Mon – Fri 09:30 – 12:30)
Website: Forest Row Parish Council
Email: frctransport@gmail.com
North Wealden Community Transport Partnership Ltd
Areas: North Wealden District and adjacent Parishes
Contact: David & Linda Graham
Telephone: 01892 771332
Email: nwctp@4weald.co.uk
Website: North Wealden Community Transport website
Compaid Transport
Areas: Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells, Hastings & Uckfield
Contact: Mr Mark Gettings
Telephone: 01892 722297
Email: transport@compaid.org.uk
Website: Compaid Transport website
Getting involved in community transport
Volunteer for local schemes
Community transport relies on local volunteers to help with bookings, fundraising and driving. A few hours of your time could make a difference to your community. Contact your local community transport operator for more information.
