Accessible Group Transport
Accessible Group Transport is transport we plan to arrange with community groups, charities and partner organisations for the members they support. It is not minibus hire, and there is no rate card or public hire form.
What it is
Community groups, clubs and partner organisations often need to move a number of people together — to a shared activity, a group outing, or a regular session. Accessible Group Transport is our proposed way of supporting that, using accessible vehicles and trained drivers, arranged as a conversation between Community Ride Hub and the group, rather than sold as an open-market minibus hire product.
Why this is not 'minibus hire'
Community Ride Hub intends to operate under a section 19 permit as a not-for-profit community transport operator once that permit is issued. That means we cannot sell vehicle hire on the open market or compete for general commercial hire work. Accessible Group Transport is instead planned as an arrangement between Community Ride Hub and an eligible partner organisation or member group, agreed individually, and always on a not-for-profit, cost-recovery basis.
Who it is for
- Community groups and clubs whose members include people who cannot use ordinary transport independently
- Charities and voluntary organisations supporting older or disabled people
- Care homes, day centres and similar organisations planning group activities
- Faith and social groups whose regular members need accessible travel
How it would work
There is no public hire form and no published rate card for Accessible Group Transport. Every arrangement would start with a conversation, so we can understand the group's needs — number of people, accessibility requirements, destination, timing and frequency — and check that we can support it responsibly within our capacity and permit.
- The group or organisation contacts Community Ride Hub to discuss what they need
- We check that the request fits within our permit and capacity
- We agree a cost-recovery contribution and the practical details together
- We confirm the arrangement in writing before the journey takes place
Group Membership
Organisations join through Group Membership. It lets your group request Accessible Group Transport and comes with a named contact at the office, help planning regular sessions, and first notice of passenger assistance, safeguarding and MiDAS training. Your group's members can also apply for Connect Membership in their own right. See Group Membership for the full details.
Cost-recovery, not a price list
Any contribution requested for Accessible Group Transport is intended to recover the genuine costs of running the vehicle and paying the driver — fuel, maintenance, insurance and staff time — not to generate a profit or to compete on price with commercial minibus hire firms. We do not publish a rate card, because every arrangement depends on the specifics of the group and the journey. The way contributions are calculated is [TBC] and will be set out once agreed by the Board.
Can I hire a Community Ride Hub minibus for a private event?
No. Community Ride Hub does not hire out vehicles on the open market. Accessible Group Transport is an arrangement for community groups and partner organisations supporting people who need accessible travel, agreed case by case.
Is there a price list for group transport?
No. There is no rate card. Costs are agreed individually, based on genuine cost recovery, once we understand what a group needs.
Can any community group apply?
We expect to prioritise groups supporting people who would otherwise struggle to access transport, in line with our not-for-profit purpose and our section 19 permit. Not every request will be one we can accommodate.
How do we start a conversation about this?
Contact us directly. There is no online booking or hire form — every arrangement begins with a conversation about what your group needs.
This is not a booking service yet
Community Ride Hub is preparing to operate. No Accessible Group Transport arrangements are currently running, and this page is not an offer of transport for any group.
Discuss your group's needs
If you represent a community group or partner organisation, register the need so it counts towards the evidence Community Ride Hub puts to funders, or talk to us directly.