RING & RIDE

SOUTH SOMERSET

Community Accessible Transport For rural villages and those who cannot easily use public transport

TO BOOK PLEASE RING 01963 33864

Click here for printable Application form
What is the "Ring & Ride CAT" Scheme?
It is a demand-responsive transport scheme using minibuses, for the local community of South East Somerset.  It serves the main towns of Bruton, Castle Cary and Wincanton, and surrounding villages in the parishes as shown on the map of the operating area.  The transport is available to people of all ages who live on a normal bus route but are unable to use it because of mobility difficulties, the bus service does not meet their needs.  People in villages with no transport, or infrequent transport can use the service to access the main towns or to link them with other bus and train services.

We operate as a limited company and are a registered charity, which is non-profit making.  The scheme has to be self-supporting as the Rural Bus Challenge funding has now expired and fares must therefore reflect the cost of providing the service.  holders of local authority bus passes travel for half-fare on production of the bus pass
What does the "CAT" Service give you?
  • An opportunity to travel to many locations within the district
  • Comfortable and accessible minibuses
  • Helpful and friendly drivers
  • Wheelchair access, for up to two wheelchair users on any one journey
  • Door to Door service
Where can I go?
You can travel anywhere in the operating area, as shown in the diagram below.  Anyone with mobility problems, or experiencing difficulties in reaching other destinations, give us a ring and we will try to help.

Parishes in the Ring & Ride Operating Area

When does it run?
The service  runs Monday to Friday from 0800 to 1800; requests for transport outside these hours will be given individual consideration.
Concessionary Fares Scheme
Holders of a local authority bus pass are entitled to travel at reduced fare.  Please register your number on the application form  (Click here).  If you do not have a bus pass, but think you may be entitled (over 60 or disabled, for example), please apply to your local District Council office.
Zonal Fare Structure
AREA BAND NORTH SOUTH
 
Zone East West East West
One
  • Bayford
  • Bratton Seymour
  • Charlton Musgrove
  
  • Holton
  • Wincanton
  
Two
  • Hardway
  • Penselwood
  • Pitcombe
  • Redlynch
  • Shepton Montague
  • Woolston
  • Yarlington
  • Cucklington
  • Horsington
  • North Cheriton
  • South Cheriton
  • Stoke Trister
  • Maperton
Three
  • Bruton
  • North Brewham
  • South Brewham
  • Alford
  • Ansford
  • Castle Cary
  • Galhampton
  • North Barrow
  • North Cadbury
  • South Barrow
  • Henstridge
  • Stowell
  • Templecombe
  • Wilkinthroop
  • Yenston
  • Blackford
  • Charlton Horethorne
  • Compton Pauncefoot
  • Little Weston
  • South Cadbury
  • Sparkford
Four
  • Batcombe
  • Babcary
  • East Lydford
  • Foddington
  • Lovington
  
  • Corton Denham
  • Milborne Port
  • Milborne Wick
  • Sutton Montis
  • Weston Bampfylde
How Much Does It Cost?
For fare structures and prices please click here
Social Car Scheme
If you require transport for a medical appointment outside the operating area, we may be able to arrange this using one of our volunteer car drivers; users must join the scheme and are then charged a mileage rate for the whole trip.  concessionary fares also apply to this service.  bookings can be made by phoning the office 01963 33864 during opening hours
How do I make a booking?
  • Before you can make a booking you must become a member of the Travel club by completing a membership form and returning it to the address at the bottom of the form.  A one-off membership fee is required which you can pay direct to the driver on your first journey.
  • The booking can be made up to 24 hours before the day you wish to travel by ringing 01963 33864 between the times of 0930 and 1230 Monday to Friday.  For journeys on a Monday morning, the booking must be made on the previous Friday.  we will however, try to accommodate late bookings if there is any spare capacity that day.
  • Give the bookings co-ordinator the following information:-
    • Your name, address and telephone number
    • Day/Date of travel, pick up point and time
    • Destination and return pick up time and point
    • Special requirements, eg wheelchair user
  • Please be ready 10 minutes before your pick up time.  Depending on other bookings for the same journey, some pickup times may have to be amended slightly; you will be informed well in advance if this is the case.
  • We will do our best to meet all requests, however bookings are on a first come first served basis.

This service is part-funded by Somerset County Council and south Somerset District Council, and supported by Wincanton Transport and a number of local community organisations.
RING & RIDE SCHEME
Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB