Getting around with community transport
Getting around with community transport
If you’re needing help with getting to medical appointments, the shops or participating in social activities, there are community transport options available, either for free or at a low cost.
Local councils
Your local council may provide a community transport service for eligible seniors, pensioners and those with accessibility needs. Services can include a weekly shopping shuttle, transport to medical appointments and other activities such as the library or community groups. The service is often run by volunteer drivers and bookings are required via the local council. A small fee may apply. Visit your local council website to see if they run a community transport service.
New South Wales
In NSW, Transport NSW provides a directory of community transport operators across the state. To find out if you are eligible, go to the local community transport operators page and see what services are available in your area: https://transportnsw.info/operators. Make sure to select ‘community transport’ in the mode filter.
Victoria
The St John Community Transport Service is a not-for profit transport service staffed by qualified and friendly St John Volunteers. The service is suitable for visits to medical appointments, visiting family or friends, transport to events or functions and shopping trips. To find out more information about the St John Community Transport Service visit:
https://www.stjohnvic.com.au/transport-services/community-transport/; call: 1300 785 646 or email: communitytransport@stjohnvic.com.au.
South Australia
The SA Community website, funded by the Government of South Australia and Public Library Services, provides a list of community transport providers across South Australia. To see if there is a local operator in your area, visit https://sacommunity.org/thesaurus/14715-Community_Transport.
Western Australia
The St John Community Transport service provides a door-to-door service for people who cannot use public transport or their usual means of transportation. The service can be used for getting to the community centre or medical appointments and is available in the Perth metro area and surrounding suburbs. A small fee applies to all trips. To find out whether the service is available to you, call 08 9334 1300 or visit https://stjohnwa.com.au/ambulance-and-health-services/patient-transfer-service/metro-community-transport.
Queensland
The St John Transport service provides a door-to-door service for people who need help getting to the doctors, going shopping or heading out socially. The service is available in Brisbane North / Caboolture, Maryborough, Hervey Bay, Townsville and Bundaberg and operates Monday to Friday. A small fee applies to all trips. To find out whether the service is available to you, call 1300 785 646 or visit https://www.stjohnqld.com.au/community-services/transport-services/.
Australian Capital Territory
Capital Regional Community Services (CRCS) provides a flexible door-to-door community transport service for eligible residents across the ACT. The service is for people who are ageing, recovering from a medical episode or for people living with a disability. While the service is government subsidised, users will incur a small co-contribution for the transport support provided.
CRCS has community cars that provide transport to medical and paramedical appointments, shopping trips and social and recreational activities. These operate Monday to Friday. The CRCS community bus is focused on social activities and is available for group outings, shopping trips as well as social and recreation activities.
To find out more information on transport options, contact the Transport Team at: 02 6278 8124 or email: transport@crcs.com.au. Visit the website at: https://www.crcs.com.au/programs-and-services/community-transport/#about.
Northern Territory
If you’re needing help with getting to medical appointments and live within the Palmerston area, there is a free bus service for seniors and mobility impaired residents. The service runs to and from the Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin Private Hospital, Palmerston Regional Hospital, Healthy Living NT and the Farrar Medical Centre, three times per day, Monday to Friday. The shuttle bus is subject to availability and 24 hours prior notice is essential. To book the service, call: 1300 978 995 and ask for the Palmerston Hospital bus.
In Tennant Creek, Tennant Creek Transport offers a door-to-door minibus service for people with disabilities and those having difficulty getting to the town service bus stops. The service runs Monday to Friday and a small fee applies. To book the service, email: coordinator@tennantcreektransport.org For more information on the service, visit: https://www.tennantcreektransport.org/.