Alternative travel to Dial-a-Ride
Leicester's Dial-a-Ride service will close from 20 December 2024, following a consultation earlier this year. Here is a list of alternative travel options for Dial-a-Ride users.
After careful consideration and much deliberating, the decision has been made to stop the Dial-a-Ride service because of low usage numbers and associated high costs. The service will close on 20 December 2024, and until then, the service will continue to run as normal.
You can see feedback from the consultation in our ‘We asked, You said, We did’ section on the consultation website.
Here is a list of alternative forms of transport, which should be able to assist you in arranging future transport.
Public transport by bus
Improvements to public transport have made it more accessible to all, including Dial-a-Ride users. There is free travel before 9.30am for disabled pass holders and half-fare for senior citizens pass holders provided the journey begins in Leicester.
Most bus stops across the city provide level boarding with raised kerb platforms, and buses use ramps where necessary for wheelchairs, pushchairs and scooters.
Bus stops in the city centre provide audio and visual information for waiting passengers regarding the next bus service.
For help in planning your journey, you can visit the bus companies’ websites or contact them by telephone.
First Bus
www.firstbus.co.uk/leicester
Tel: 0345 646 07 07 (9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday)
Arriva Bus
www.arrivabus.co.uk/midlands/bus-travel-in-leicester
Tel: 0344 800 44 11 (8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday)
HOP
There is a free city centre bus service. It loops around the city centre, serving the Haymarket Bus Station, Highcross, Jubilee Square, Leicester Royal Infirmary, railway station and market.
www.leicesterbuses.co.uk/hop
Leicester Orbital
The Orbital service, serves key shopping and workplace hubs, including General Hospital, Oadby, Wigston, Fosse Park, Glenfield, Glenfield Hospital, Beaumont Leys, Rushey Mead, Hamilton and Nether Hall.
www.leicesterbuses.co.uk/orbital
Tel: 0116 410 50 50
Hospital Hopper
The Hospital Hopper connects all the city hospital sites, the shopping hubs at Beaumont Leys and Hamilton, the railway station and has a direct interchange point with the HOP at Jubilee Square.
www.leicesterbuses.co.uk/hh-hospital-hopper
Other organisations
Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland also provide similar journeys as the Dial-a-Ride service, but require a minimum of eight people travelling, and there is a cost. And they are experienced in providing transport for vulnerable people.
They may be able to help you. You can find out more by calling 0116 299 2233 (Option 6, Reception) or by emailing, [email protected]
When enquiring, please inform them that you are a Dial-a-Ride user and tell them the days and places you want to travel, they will make a note of this and get in touch with you later with what they can provide.
The Royal Voluntary Service provide transport for essential appointments to and from hospital, GP and other medical visits. Call them on 0116 266 7706 or visit their website www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/our-services
Taxi providers
Taxis are readily available for journeys from your home. Here is an approved list of taxi providers.
| Taxi company | Office phone |
| 24X7 Ltd | 0127 966 1661 |
| ASA Transport Service Ltd | 0781 811 7244 |
| AZOOM Taxis | 0116 251 2513 |
| Crown Hills Taxis | 0746 473 6115 |
| Elite Taxis | 0738 760 3466 |
| Everest Taxis | 0116 262 2122 |
| HMB Taxis | 0116 273 6443 |
| Hansom Taxis Leicester Ltd | 0116 233 3333 |
| M & M Cabs | 0798 056 5572 |
| NMI Taxis | 0785 247 2489 |
| One Express (previously X Cab) | 0759 007 6769 |
| Prime1 Taxis | 0782 831 9787 |
| Prestige Care Agency (CARE AGENCY) | 0116 279 5191 |
| S Taxis | 0798 874 9129 |
| Shafi-Ullah Adam (Adam's transport) | 0792 792 1199 |
| SKYLINE Taxis (Mids) Ltd | 0116 274 0465, 0116 276 7573 |
| Smart PLUS Taxis | 0753 328 6600 |
| VICTORIA Cabs | 0116 270 6655 |