13 October 2025
It’s Community Transport Week And Community Transport Is For Everyone
Across Hampshire, and beyond, public transport services are under increasing strain. Budget cuts and bus route reductions have made it harder for people to get to work, attend appointments, go shopping, or get out and about in their community.
Our community transport services fill those gaps – connecting people with the places and activities that are vital to them. And crucially, our services are for everyone – we believe transport shouldn’t be a barrier to living life fully.
Community Transport Week
The Community Transport Association are celebrating Community Transport Week and we’re proud help create some noise and promote.
Whether it’s sharing a story, hosting an event, or thanking volunteers, every contribution shows how the Community Transport sector is #MoreThanAMinibus every day.
Our services
Our community transport network includes minibus services in Basingstoke, Fareham & Gosport, Winchester, Havant, East Hampshire and the New Forest and our on-demand services in Portsmouth and Test Valley.
We also run volunteer driver services and minibus hire for community groups and charities.
Connect Transport is our door-to-door minibus service for anyone unable to access public transport due to mobility issues. One of our drivers will pick you up from home or your chosen pick-up spot and take you to your destination. The fully accessible option costs just £6 for a return trip.
Another flexible, affordable and convenient alternative to public transport is our Test Valley on Demand service. This lets passengers book trips by phone or via an app, choosing from around 350 bus stops in the SP10, SP11 and SO20 postcodes. The service runs Monday to Saturday, 7am-7pm, linking people to destinations such as Andover town centre, War Memorial Hospital, and the town’s train and bus stations.
Pompey Link, funded by Portsmouth City Council, is our other on-demand minibus service connecting bus stops in Paulsgrove and Port Solent to Cosham and Queen Alexandra Hospital, which are not currently served by other bus services. This service is available from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 7pm and costs up to £2.50 per journey.
Allowing people to book a journey when they need it, reduces the need for fixed routes and provides a more responsive, environmentally friendly transport solution.
For all of our transport services, there is no requirement to be registered as disabled or meet any special criteria. Because our services are designed around local needs, they’re ideal for shift workers, students, families, and anyone who wants more flexible and affordable travel.
Our community transport wouldn’t exist without our team of dedicated staff and volunteers. Our drivers and coordinators, booking teams and administrators play a vital role in keeping our communities connected. Many of our volunteer drivers are trained through MiDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme), ensuring they provide safe, friendly, and professional service for every journey.
Changing perceptions
We know that community transport is sometimes misunderstood. There’s a common assumption that it’s only for people who are elderly, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
To break that stigma, we’re working to increase awareness of our services and be clear about how they work. This is through bus stop signage, local events, social media, and word-of-mouth from users. We’re also sharing real stories from our passengers and drivers including people like Georgia and John, whose experiences show just how valuable and versatile community transport can be.
Georgia, 34, from Paulsgrove, uses Pompey Link four times a week to get to her job at the Odeon in Port Solent. Before she discovered the service, she either faced long walks to work or spent up to £15 per journey on taxis, sometimes almost as much as she earned on short shifts.
“Pompey Link stops at bus stop right outside my house. It’s easy to book on the app, always on time, and the drivers are lovely. It’s been a game changer.”
Georgia often recommends Pompey Link to her colleagues and even to cinema customers who worry about getting to screenings.
“People think community transport is just for older people, but anyone can use it,” she added. “It’s so important for helping people get out and about.”
John, 73, lives in Test Valley and uses our on-demand transport service to explore the countryside with his wife, visit pubs for lunch, and meet friends. “I can book a ride 15 or 30 minutes ahead,” he told us. “The drivers are brilliant – I’ve never waited more than five minutes.”