Green Community Travel 1.33

Green Community Travel (previously Yate, Sodbury and District Community Transport) provides safe, affordable and accessible travel for individuals and groups who are unable to use public transport and would otherwise have no other way of getting around. Any voluntary or community group which meets within the South Gloucestershire can join our Group Travel scheme and make use of our services. Individuals register with the Ring & Ride service, though GCT may provide transport through the voluntary car scheme if that is more appropriate. Charges are based on the total mileage for each journey, calculated to/from the Yate office.

We first started operating in 1989, borrowing local minibuses, particularly that of the local scout group, to provide transport for other community groups. The following year, South Gloucestershire Council loaned us one of their 16-seaters, which we affectionately called the "bread van", and this became the mainstay of our provision for the next eight years.

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of our volunteers, solid support from South Gloucestershire and Doddington Parish Councils, grants from government initiatives (eg Countryside Agency, Rural Bus Challenge) and various Charity Trusts (including a £111,000 lottery grant), our fleet has grown and we have been able to expand our services to meet the needs of our community.

Ring & Ride, first introduced in 1999, now has evening and weekend services and from 2008 we have been offering a programme of day trips to places of interest including garden centres and tourist locations such as Laycock, Bristol Harbourside and Weston super Mare.

In 2012, we rebranded the organisation as Green Community Travel. We hope this will enable us to attract a broader source of funding through sponsorship, grants and donations as well as remove any misconceptions about the geographical area we are able to cover.

Green Community Travel would not be possible without the volunteers who drive or accompany passengers on our buses, deal with telephone calls and paperwork in the office and help us with our fundraising. If you have a few hours to spare each week, why not join us in making a real difference to people's lives?

Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I book my own lunch or dinner trip?
Yes, using the Ring & Ride service, provided the booking is with our area.

Q: Why is there a limit on the number of shopping bags one can bring on the bus?
This is a health and safety issue - too many bags can block emergency exits.

Q: Why do you do trips?
It is our intention to provide varied transport to individuals including addressing social isolation.

Q: When is the best time to ring community transport?
The telephone lines are often very busy first thing in the morning, after 11am they are much quieter.

Q: Why can’t I use my bus pass to go to Bristol or Weston Super Mare?
South Gloucestershire Council, not GCT, determine how bus passes can be used.

Q: Why can’t I take my dog?
For health and safety reasons, dogs etc need to be harnessed to a seat belt – as they do in a car – otherwise they could harm someone in the event of an accident. We will accept specially trained dogs for the visually and hearing impaired.

Q: Can I take a walking aid?
Yes, provided it is requested at time of booking (as we need to make space available and arrange clamps for securing your aid safely).

Q: Do you run in the evenings or at weekends?
We can provide transport:
• Monday to Friday until 5.00pm
• Saturdays 9:00 am – 5:00 pm



Q: Why can’t I book transport on the same day?
Drivers’ log sheets for the following days’ bookings go out the night before – which would not enable us to add others. Also, we do not have a Hackney licence like taxis and therefore cannot take same day bookings.

Q: Why can’t I book a week in advance or make a regular booking?
We adhere to various best practice policies and procedures including Equal Opportunities. To take regular bookings may prevent other passengers having the chance to book transport – which is unfair.

Q: can you provide hospital transport
Short answer is YES!!