HIGHLAND PERTHSHIRE

Getting Around

Blair Atholl

 Pitlochry • Rannoch
Aberfeldy • Lawers
Dunkeld • Birnam • Stanley 

Bankfoot

¨       Local bus services

¨       Rail

¨       Travel Concessions

¨       Community Car and Minibus Schemes

¨       Transport to Health Appointments

¨       Private Taxi/Bus Hire

¨       Shopmobility

What kinds of transport can I use?

1.  Local Bus Services

2.  Rail Services

3.  Travel Concessions

4.  Community Cars

5.  Community Minibuses

6.  Transport to Health

     Appointments

7.  Private Taxi/Bus Hire

8.  Shopmobility

1. LOCAL BUS SERVICES

The Highland Perthshire & Stanley Local Public Transport Guide is produced by Perth & Kinross Council’s Public Transport Unit and contains information on all bus, coach and rail services in the area. Copies available in libraries, Post Offices, Tourist Offices and from the Public Transport Unit, telephone 0845 3011130.

Telephone information on local bus services is available from TRAVELINE 0871 200 22 33 or www.traveline.org.uk

2. RAIL SERVICES

Timetables for local rail services are included in the Council’s Local Public Transport Guide (see above). Alternatively, telephone information is available from:

TRAVELINE 0871 200 22 33

National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50 (24 hours)

Telephone booking for the hearing impaired on

0845 60 50 600

3. TRAVEL CONCESSIONS

April 2006 saw the introduction of a new national travel concession scheme which provides free bus travel, Scotland-wide, for older and disabled people.  In order to take advantage of the new scheme eligible people need to obtain a new entitlement card. 

The Entitlement Card application form (LS304) to be used by new applicants who are aged 60 and over is available from Post Offices in Perth and Kinross.

The Entitlement Card application form (NCT001 07/2006) for people who are disabled is available from most Council Offices.

Alternatively contact the Council’s Public Transport Unit (telephone 0845 603 0976 or e-mail concessionarytravel@pkc.gov.uk) – and an application form will be posted out to you.

COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

Schemes in sections 4 & 5 are run for the benefit of people who cannot access local bus or rail services. Schemes may charge for their services.

Some minibuses available to CT Groups may require section 19 permits and MiDAS trained drivers. For further information, please contact PKCTG on 01577 866766

4.COMMUNITY CARS

WRVS provide transport to and from your home for doctors appointments; day care; visiting friends and relatives; shopping or to attend social occasions.  Volunteers are fully insured and use their own cars. 

Contact the Perthshire helpline on 01764 656409

Perth Access Cars have wheelchair accessible cars available. Contact Evelyn Kemp on 01738 639134

British Red Cross have a wheelchair accessible vehicle available for particular needs.

Further information on 01738 622474

5. COMMUNITY MINIBUSES

Aberfeldy

Dalweem

Wheelchair accessible minibus transport available by arrangement for groups of older people or for health related purposes.  Groups hiring the minibus must have a section 19 permit and drivers must be MiDAS qualified.

Contact Margaret Quinn on 01887 820949

Breadalbane Academy have two 15 seat minibuses (one of which is wheelchair accessible) available to community and youth groups. Groups hiring the minbus must have a section 19 permit and drivers must be MiDAS qualified.

Further information on 01887 820428

Dunkeld

Perth & Kinross Council has a 16 seat wheelchair accessible minibus based in Dunkeld that can be used by community groups. Groups hiring the minibus must have a section 19 permit and drivers must be MiDAS qualified.

Further information on 01350 727669

Pitlochry

Pitlochry Senior Citizens and Good Neighbours Association has a 12 seat wheelchair accessible minibus which provides transport for shopping trips, day centre and community organisations. Contact Isobel Watson on 01796 473531.

Pitlochry High School have three 15 seat minibuses available to community organisations and youth groups. Drivers must be MiDAS trained. Organisations who hire a minibus must have a section 19 permit and drivers must be MiDAS qualified.

Further information on 01796 472900 

Perth

PKAVS have two 15 seat wheelchair accessible minibuses, one 9 seat wheelchair accessible minibus and one 15 seat non-accessible minibus available to voluntary and community organisations. Drivers must be MIDAS qualified.

Contact the Transport Co-ordinator on 01738 567076

 6. TRANSPORT TO HEALTH

    APPOINTMENTS

Patient Transport Service Ambulances

Your doctor or hospital consultant may decide, based upon your medical condition, that you qualify for this service. It is free of charge and picks you up and returns you to your home. The Service has to meet the needs of as many people from your area as possible, so you should expect to have a longer day out than you would travelling by  car.

Voluntary Car Scheme

If you do not qualify for Patient Transport Ambulance, your local GP surgery may refer you to a local Voluntary Car Scheme.

A volunteer will pick you up and return you to your home. There is usually a charge for this service to cover the costs of providing the car. Schemes in different areas provide slightly different services and have a range of charges. For further information contact your surgery.

Assistance with travel expenses

If you are on Income Support or Working Tax Credit, you may be able reclaim your travel expenses at the hospital. Take proof of both payment and of your entitlement to benefit, to the Cashier’s Office while at the hospital.

Patients on other benefits may be entitled to help with part or all of their travel costs. This can be done by completing form HC1 which is available from the DWP or Post Office. Payment will then be made by post.

Out of Hours Transport

Patients advised by NHS 24 to attend a local treatment centre out of normal hours and are unable to travel independently, should advise NHS 24 of this when the appointment is made.

NHS Tayside is empowered to provide transport to and from the treatment centre for those in need. The service is not for universal use but aimed at people without access to a car or family/friends to help.

7.  PRIVATE TAXI/BUS HIRE

Your telephone directory will provide a full list of taxi/bus operators. Perth and Kinross Community Transport Group wish to express thanks to the following operator who supported the publication of this leaflet.

                                        Operator           Area                                    Phone

S.R. Taxis        Pitlochry             01796 473931

8.  SHOPMOBILITY

Shopmobility services offer free use of a wheelchair or scooter while shopping or visiting the area.

Contact Perth Shopmobility on 01738 783960

Contact Highland Perthshire Shopmobility on 01796 473866

This leaflet was prepared with the best information available in March 2007. If you are aware of any errors or omissions, please contact Perth & Kinross Community Transport Group.

Published by Perth & Kinross  Community Transport Group.

Tel: 01577 866766