19th Nov 2018

Community Transport in Newton Abbot

Guest Blog Post - Newton Abbot Town Council

Photo: Henrietta Henson of ‘Hettie’s Hairdos’ in Wolborough Street

Newton Abbot Community Transport’s road vehicles and Shopmobility scooters may not look as colourful as Henrietta’s, but they will help you get into and around Newton Abbot to do your Christmas shopping!

With many years of experience and eight wheelchair friendly vehicles, the local charity’s drivers help less mobile and rurally isolated people to access shops and businesses in the town. Volunteers and staff are trained and keen to assist – and aware that not everyone is as agile as they might like to be!

Newton Abbot Ring & Ride, provides door to door transport for shopping trips for people in Kingsteignton, Chudleigh, Bovey Tracey, Ashburton, Buckfastleigh, Buckfast, Totnes and Dartmouth; villages include Abbotskerswell, Ipplepen, Denbury, Ogwell and Kingskerswell. Drivers help with wheelchairs and walkers, carry bags and assist passengers boarding and leaving the buses.

Don’t be put off by the less than glamorous setting under the multi-storey car park in Sherborne Road; Newton Abbot Shopmobility has a range of different sizes and types of scooter and wheelchair to suit almost everyone. There is some free car parking available in Halcyon Road car park while you’re with them, or Shopmobility volunteers and staff can meet you with pre-booked wheelchairs and scooters from taxis or at Newton Abbot Railway or Bus Station.

On your first visit, friendly staff will help you to select an appropriate vehicle, register you and provide basic training so that you’re covered by their insurance. Once you’re confident, Newton Abbot is yours to explore!

Shopmobility also has a range of colourful walking sticks and a variety of rollators for sale, or some for hire to ‘try before you buy’. If you’re looking for ideas for Christmas presents they stock patterned Blue Badge holders, ready reachers and many other useful daily living aids.

All Newton Abbot Community Transport’s fares and charges are kept as low as possible and funds are re-invested in the charity. For more information – or to offer to do a Christmas good deed and volunteer – just call in or phone 01626 335775.