Community transport guide

Community transport provides services in areas where either:

  • there is no public transport
  • existing public transport can’t be used – like if you need wheelchair access.

Community transport is non-profit. It is developed by local people to serve their needs. Services may be provided by different vehicles. This depends on the needs of the community. Most do not run to a timetable but respond to requests.

  • There are several community transport schemes operating in East Sussex. Destinations include:
  • hospitals and doctors surgeries
  • shopping centres
  • workplaces
  • places of entertainment

Find a community transport service

Who can use community transport?

Community transport can be used by everyone in the community. Some operators only carry selected groups. You can contact operators in your area to see if you could use the service.

Fares and concessionary passes

Each transport operator sets their own fares. Based on distance or zones and single or return journeys. Concessionary Travel pass holders may get a reduced fare. Always check with the operator before your journey.

What is East Sussex County Council’s role?

We work in partnership with other organisations. And make sure community transport schemes meet local needs. These organisations include:

  • Primary Care Trusts
  • local people
  • community groups
  • operators

We provide advice and support wherever possible, but the focus and control of these services remains with the local community.


Countywide community transport operators

These community transport services operate across the whole of the county and some surrounding areas.

To find operators in specific areas, use the Community Transport Map,

St John Ambulance

Areas: Throughout Sussex, further afield by arrangement
Contact: Transport Services department
Telephone: 01273 371511
Email: ambulance-services@sja.org.uk
WebsiteSt John Ambulance


Community transport – Heathfield, Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells

Here is a list of operators in this area. Please contact the operator direct for details:

Age Concern Heathfield and District

Areas: Heathfield and surrounding communities. For elderly and incapacitated residents.
Minibus Transport: 01435 866960
Medical Car Service (essential journeys only): 01435 515090
Email: info@ageconcernheathfield.org.uk
Website: Age Concern Heathfield and District

Compaid Transport

Areas: Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells, Hastings & Uckfield
Contact: Mr Mark Gettings
Telephone: 01892 722297
Email: transport@compaid.org.uk
Website: Compaid Transport

Friends of Crowborough Hospital

Areas: Crowborough (hospital patients only)
Contact: Transport office
Telephone: 01892 664626
Email: enquiries@foch.org.uk 
Website: Friends of Crowborough Hospital

HATCH Voluntary Car Scheme

Areas: Hartfield and Coleman’s Hatch
Contact: Linda Graham
Telephone: 01892 771331
Email: linda.graham@hartfieldonline.org

Mayfield & Five Ashes Community Cars

Areas: Mayfield and Five Ashes
Contact: Gerald Shepherd
Telephone: 01435 873575
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 10.30am and 5pm to 6pm

North Wealden Community Transport Partnership Ltd

Areas: North Wealden and adjacent Parishes
Contact: David & Linda Graham
Telephone: 01892 771332
Website: North Wealden Community Transport

Rotherfield St Martin Volunteer Driver Scheme

Areas: Rotherfield
Contact: Jo Evans or Thelma Goulding (Volunteer Driver Co-ordinator)
Telephone: 01892 853021
Email: rsmcentre@googlemail.com 
Website: Rotherfield St Martin

Social Action Project (SAP)

Areas: Wadhurst
Contact: Mrs S Rodgers or Mrs J Wooding-Jones
Telephone: 01892 784191
Email: carilloncottage@talktalk.net 
Website: Wadhurst village


Community transport – Hastings, Bexhill, Battle and Rye

Here is a list of operators in this area. Please contact the operator direct for details:

CTLA (Community Transport for the Lewes Area)

Areas: Lewes District, Eastbourne, Hastings (from October 2022)
Telephone: 01273 517332
Emailinfo@ctla.org.uk 
WebsiteCommunity Transport for the Lewes Area

Bexhill Caring Community

Areas: Bexhill
Contact: Angela van Aalst
Telephone: 01424 215116
Email: angela@bexhillcaringcommunity.co.uk
WebsiteBexhill Caring Community

Bexhill Community Bus

Areas: Bexhill
Contact: Mr Stuart Hardie
Telephone: 01424 222820
Email: info@bexhillcommunitybus.co.uk
WebsiteBexhill Community Bus

Battle Area Community Transport

Areas: Battle and surrounding villages
Contact: Peter Spandley
Telephone: 01424 870955
Email: bactoffice@tiscali.co.uk
WebsiteBattle Area Community Transport

Rye & District Community Transport

Areas: Rye and surrounding villages
Contact: Pat Hughes
Telephone: 01797 227722

Brede Voluntary Car Scheme

Areas: Brede and Broad Oak (medical appointments only)
Contact: Councillor Carole Kynvin
Telephone: 01424 882123
Email: cskynvin@googlemail.com
WebsiteBrede community

Sedlescombe Lift Scheme

Areas: Sedlescombe (medical appointments only)
Contact: Councillor Pauline Glew
Telephone: 01424 870258
Email: Sedlescombe@freezone.co.uk
WebsiteSedlescombe Parish Council


Community transport – Eastbourne and Hailsham

Here is a list of operators in this area. Please contact the operator direct for details:

Eastbourne Dial-a-Ride

Areas: Lewes District, Eastbourne
Contact: Mr Derek Barnett
Telephone: 01273 517332
Emailinfo@ctla.org.uk 
WebsiteCommunity Transport for the Lewes Area

CTLA - Community transport across East Sussex

Areas: Lewes District, Eastbourne, Hastings
Telephone: 01273 517 332
Emailinfo@ctla.org.uk 
WebsiteCommunity Transport for the Lewes Area

Cuckmere Buses

Areas: Lewes District, South Wealden District & Eastbourne
Contact: Mr Philip Ayers
Telephone: 01323 870920
Website: Cuckmere Buses


Community transport – Lewes, Newhaven, Seaford and Brighton & Hove

Here is a list of operators in this area. Please contact the operator direct for details:

CTLA (Community Transport for the Lewes Area)

Areas: Lewes District, Eastbourne, Hastings
Telephone: 01273 517332
Emailinfo@ctla.org.uk 
WebsiteCommunity Transport for the Lewes Area

Cuckmere Buses

Areas: Lewes District, South Wealden District & Eastbourne
Contact: Mr Philip Ayers
Telephone: 01323 870920
Website: Cuckmere Buses

Havens Community Cars

Areas: Newhaven, Seaford and surrounding area
Telephone: 01273 918226
EmailHavens
Website:Havens Community Hub

Newhaven, Peacehaven and Seaford Lion’s Club

Areas: Newhaven, Peacehaven and Seaford Area
Telephone: 01323 898961
Emailminibus@npslions.co.uk 
WebsiteNewhaven, Peacehaven & Seaford Lion’s Club

Community Transport (Brighton, Hove and Area Ltd)

Areas: Brighton & Hove, Lewes District & Group Hire throughout Sussex
Telephone: 01273 677559
Emaileasylink@bhct.co.uk 
WebsiteCommunity Transport – Brighton, Hove and area

Plumpton Voluntary Driving Scheme

Areas: Plumpton, Plumpton Green, East Chiltington
Telephone: 07855 213947
Emailgeoff.medhurst@sky.com

Landport Travel Club (Sunday Bus)

Areas: Lewes and trips within a 15 mile radius
Email: rok@supanet.com
Telephone: 01273 476720

Seaford St James’ Trust

Areas: Seaford
Contact: Jeremy Knight
Telephone: 01323 492800
WebsiteSeaford St James’ Trust


Community transport – Uckfield, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead

Here is a list of operators in this area. Please contact the operator direct for details:

CTLA (Community Transport for the Lewes Area)

Areas: Lewes District, Eastbourne
Telephone: 01273 517332
Email: info@ctla.org.uk 
Website: Community Transport for the Lewes Area

Bluebird Community Partnership

Areas: Lewes & Mid Sussex Districts
Contact: Lee Gander
Telephone: 01444 471919
Email: Bluebird253133@btopenworld.com 
Website: Bluebird Community Partnership website

Forest Row Community Transport

Areas: Patients from Ashdown Forest Health Centre and/or Forest Row Parish and Ashurst Wood to enable them to attend medical/dental appointments, essentially covering most of Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
Telephone: 01342 822909 (Mon – Fri 09:30 – 12:30)
Website: Forest Row Parish Council
Email: frctransport@gmail.com

North Wealden Community Transport Partnership Ltd

Areas: North Wealden District and adjacent Parishes
Contact: David & Linda Graham
Telephone: 01892 771332
Email: nwctp@4weald.co.uk 
Website: North Wealden Community Transport website

Compaid Transport

Areas: Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells, Hastings & Uckfield
Contact: Mr Mark Gettings
Telephone: 01892 722297
Email: transport@compaid.org.uk 
Website: Compaid Transport website


Getting involved in community transport

Volunteer for local schemes

Community transport relies on local volunteers to help with bookings, fundraising and driving. A few hours of your time could make a difference to your community. Contact your local community transport operator for more information.

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