The CHAIN Hungerford transport service is operated for those who need help getting to medical and health appointments and essential destinations. This transport is provided by volunteer drivers using their own cars or CHAIN’s two specialist vehicles, the 10-seater Handybus and the ‘Chairman’ vehicle.
The Handybus has a tail-lift and can accommodate passengers with mobility limitations, including those using folding wheelchairs and “walkers”, who transfer to normal seats. It can also transport one wheelchair-bound passenger (at a loss of two normal seats), although the Chairman vehicle is specifically designed for this purpose, as it can carry a passenger in a wheelchair and two accompanying people..
Note that the Handybus now carries a defibrillator.
The CHAIN office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 11am and can be contacted on 01488 683727. Passengers pay fares for travel on the Handybus and are asked to contribute towards the costs of car services.
The Handybus passenger services are operated by specially trained volunteer drivers and passenger assistants, and include:
- A weekly Wednesday morning trip to Tesco.
- A fortnightly Wednesday afternoon trip into the centre of Hungerford.
- Two trips to Newbury a month.
- A trip from Redwood House to a Church lunch, first Tuesday of the month.
- “All Aboard” – taking passengers to afternoon activities at Redwood House, first and third Thursdays of the month.
- The bus is also used regularly by local groups and care homes for travel to a variety of destinations.
If you represent a group that is interested in booking the Handybus for a trip then please contact Keith Mayes the Handybus Coordinator on contact@crisptele.com.
Handybus Drivers wanted!
One of the benefits of the new Handybus is that it is a bit smaller so drivers need only have a normal, clean(ish) car driving licence (not a D1 license as previously required). Volunteer drivers are always assessed and trained by CHAIN.
Handybus services are only possible because of its great team of Driver and Passenger Assistant (PA) volunteers, and we are seeking to grow this team to help maintain and extend our offered services.
If you are interested and believe you could offer a little time each month, either as a Driver or PA, then please contact Keith Mayes, CHAIN Handybus Coordinator on contact@crisptele.com
Donations also welcome
As you can imagine, the specialist Handybus and Chairman vehicles are expensive. The new Handybus cost about £60,000 with some of these funds coming from Keith Mayes’ sterling fundraising efforts. Keith has recently completed three open-water swims and his Just Giving page will remain live until the end of 2025. Any donations are gratefully received and will now go towards the purchase price of a replacement Chairman vehicle.
Our team greatly appreciates your support!
