Car Scheme

Our Community Car Scheme

Community Car Schemes are one of the most flexible forms of Community Transport and make a significant contribution to the movement of passengers in Devon.

IDCTA run a car scheme covering Ivybridge, Cornwood, Shaugh Prior, Sparkwell, Brixton, Wembury, Newton & Noss, Yealmpton, Ermington, Ugborough, South Brent and Harford

Community car drivers use their own vehicles to carry those unable to use conventional transport to pre-booked destinations, most frequently medical appointments, but also other appointments such as dentists, opticians, chiropodists e.t.c.

Who can use the scheme

Frail, elderly, rurally isolated or people with a disability who find public transport inaccessible or difficult to use.

Arrange a Journey

Passengers book a journey by telephoning our Coordinator on 01752 690 444 Monday to Friday 9.00hrs to 12.00hrs at least two working days in advance of travelling. The Coordinator will then match up your travel requirement with the drivers available. We endeavor to fulfill every request, however, on the rare occasion we are unable to fulfill we will aim to give as much notice as possible. If we are unable to take your call please leave your name and telephone number and we will ring back.

The volunteer driver picks up the client from their home, takes them to their appointment and will wait up to two hours and then bring the client back home.

Fares and Payments

IDCTA are introducing a new fare strategy on 15th July 2024. Our drivers are entitled to receive reimbursement for every mile that they travel from their home to the passenger’s home, to the destination and back again.

• Our organisation has to cover the office costs for organising the trip including paying our staff. We are introducing a booking fee for each trip of £3.60 to partially cover this cost. We will be fundraising for cover the balance of this cost.
• The drivers’ expenses will be charged at the Government approved rate of 45p/mile for miles travelled without a passenger and 50p/mile when carrying a passenger both to and from the destination.
• Any parking costs or tolls are to be paid by the passenger.
• One escort can travel free of charge if needed.
• There is a minimum fare of £6.60 for short journeys.
• The passenger pays the driver in cash, both his expenses and the booking fee.

Fares may vary if the driver for your journey has to travel from further away than a previous driver. We always attempt to provide a volunteer driver as close as possible to the passenger to keep fares to a minimum.

Once a driver has accepted the journey our office can give you an estimate of the cost when the journey is confirmed.

Can I reclaim the cost of travelling to a hospital appointment?

Passengers can, depending on their financial circumstances, claim back the cost of the trip for certain NHS visits. Details of eligibility for reclaiming travel costs can be found on the following two websites

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/

and

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/

Inform our office when booking if you will require a receipt to reclaim your fare.

The passenger takes the receipt to the cash office at Derriford Hospital where the cost of the journey will be reimbursed. The passenger must take with them proof of eligibility for repayment of their fare.

The co-ordinator can advise on the cost of arrangements which differ from a usual journey. Special charging arrangements may be required on some occasions (e.g. if one return journey for a passenger entails two return journeys for the driver).