The Borders Wheels Community Transport Service operates a number of wheelchair accessible vehicles, supported by volunteer drivers. Our service is available for individuals living independently or in care who need help with transport, and also for community/voluntary groups.
Please call your nearest office if you would like to find out more about using our services or being a volunteer driver. The maximum capacity for each vehicle is reduced if you need to make space for a wheelchair; the figures given below are for passenger seats without a wheelchair.
Berwickshire Wheels
Transport Manager: Jackson Dalgleish
Volunteer Hall, Langtongate, Duns, Berwickshire TD11 3AF
Berwickshire@borderswheels.org.uk
0300 456 1985
Various fleet vehicles available including wheelchair accessible
Gala Wheels – Central Borders Area
Transport Manager: Brenda Vannan
Brewerybrig, Low Buckholmside, Galashiels TD1 1RT
0300 456 1985
Various fleet vehicles available including wheelchair accessible
Teviot Wheels – Cheviot / Teviot & Liddesdale areas
Transport Manager: Jacqueline Chapman
Port House, 11 Exchange Street, Jedburgh TD8 6BH
0300 456 1985
Various fleet vehicles available including wheelchair accessible
Tweed Wheels – Tweeddale Area
Transport Manager: Brenda Vannan
Brewerybrig, Low Buckholmside, Galashiels TD1 1RT
0300 456 1985
Various fleet vehicles available including wheelchair accessible
We are members of the Community Transport Association and work with fellow providers as part of Borders Community Transport Partnership
Who can drive the vehicles?
We have teams of volunteer drivers in each local area to help our clients to get where they need to go. All our volunteers are certified via the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS) and PVG checked. Our smaller vehicles can also be driven by nominated private drivers (friend, relative etc), who must be aged between 25-70, have a clean driving licence and take a brief familiarisation test with the vehicle.
What does it cost?
We charge by the length of journey (per mile) for all vehicles..
Eligible individuals with special mobility needs can benefit from a subsidy per mile for certain journeys. This subsidy is provided by Scottish Borders Council under the Social Car Scheme and covers a maximum 80 miles per journey. Available for :
- Health appointments
- Attending activities eg lunch clubs
- Shopping trips
- Visits to family and friends
- Travel to respite care
With the subsidy, journeys are charged at an affordable 40p per mile (65p per mile without the subsidy). There is a minimum charge of £5.00 and a flat rate surcharge of £1 per journey for additional passengers (carers travel free).
What does a Community Minibus cost?
Community groups wishing to hire our accessible minibuses must become members of Borders Wheels (membership is free). The charge to hire the minibus with a driver is 95p per mile (90p per mile when the group provides its own driver, who must have undergone MIDAS training). There is a minimum charge of £20 per journey.
Our community minibuses can be hired by non-profit groups for:
- Outings
- Attending events and activities
Funding
We are very grateful to Scottish Borders Council and other funders who enable us to operate the Community Transport Service. Together with passenger fees, local donations and funds raised via our Thrift Shops, these grants have supported us to run the services and purchase new vehicles.
