Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles
Ipswich Borough Council has licensed 21 taxis and one private hire vehicle, which are able to carry a passenger sitting in a wheelchair.
In addition there are four saloon-style taxis with a front passenger 'swivel seat' allowing easier access to passengers with limited mobility to get in and out of these vehicles.
Most of these vehicles may be hired from taxi ranks around the town centre and it may be possible to pre-book by telephoning.
A list of mobile phone numbers for some drivers with wheelchair accessible vehicles is available from the Licensing Office on request.
Licensing Office
Ipswich Borough Council
3rd Floor East
Grafton House
15-17 Russell Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 2DE
Telephone: 01473 432063
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Dial-A-Ride Service
Ipswich Dial-A-Ride Ltd (IDaR) provides wheelchair accessible minibuses for people unable to use ordinary public transport within Ipswich, for social, shopping, doctors and dentists, but not hospital appointments. Fares are set depending upon journey distance but should be approximately the same as the relevant bus fare.
Users of the service need to gain membership by contacting Dial-a-Ride in advance of using this service, and journeys normally have to be booked in advance.
Ipswich Dial-A-Ride Ltd (IDaR)
Telephone: 08453 479379 (10.30am and 4.00pm)
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Travel Concessions (Bus Passes and 'Travel Vouchers')
Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) provides the 'Suffolk Saver' concessionary bus pass in connection with the other borough and district councils in Suffolk. This gives FREE bus travel on all buses that start or finish their journey within the county of Suffolk (including in Ipswich). The exceptions to this are express coach services, privately hired buses, tours, excursions and other 'special' bus services, where the pass does not provide any concession. The pass is available free of charge to all eligible people who are permanent residents of the Borough of Ipswich.
To be eligible you must be any one of the following:
- aged 60 or over
- disabled
- blind/partially sighted
Ipswich Borough Council provide and fund the free fare Countywide bus pass scheme for all eligible Ipswich residents.
For further details on the above (including what categories are defined as being disabled) or to request an application form, please contact:
Concessionary Fares
Ipswich Borough Council
3rd Floor
Grafton House
15-17 Russell Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 2DE
Telephone: 01473 432062
Email: concessionary.fares@ipswich.gov.uk
Application forms for bus passes are also available at the Ipswich Buses Enquiry Office at Tower Ramparts Bus Station, the Customer Services Centre at the Town Hall, First Eastern Counties Buses Enquiry Office at the Old Cattle Market Bus Station, the Tourist Information Centre in St Stephen's Church, St Stephen's Lane and the Age Concern office in Northgate Street.
Please note: There is a replacement charge of £5 for lost or damaged bus passes. There is no charge to replace stolen bus passes.
Travel Vouchers
Travel Vouchers have been introduced to provide help for Ipswich residents who have a 'severe mobility impairment'. A user who is issued with travel vouchers will be able to exchange them for travel on certain taxis, private hire vehicles and Dial-A-Ride bus services, but only with those operators who are participating in the scheme. If you are unsure whether a taxi, private hire vehicle or Dial-A-Ride operator is participating in the scheme we suggest you contact them before travelling. If you don't live within Ipswich you might want to contact your local council as some are offering a similar voucher scheme.
How do travel vouchers work?
A person who qualifies for travel vouchers will be issued with a set amount of vouchers per year (£60 worth of vouchers from 1st April 2007) and an ID card to go with them. The vouchers are only valid with a corresponding ID Card and are not transferable to other persons. You must supply us with one up to date colour passport-sized photograph for your ID card.
A maximum amount of £20 of vouchers can be used in any one trip. The vouchers are only valid for journeys that start or finish within Suffolk. A 'year' in the scheme runs from 1st April to 31st March and applications are dealt with on a pro-rata basis. Vouchers have to used in the scheme year in which they were issued. Applicants should also note that travel vouchers cannot be used on conventional public transport such as buses and trains, and cannot be used on taxis and private hire vehicles not participating in the scheme.
Your travel vouchers will last longer if you use them as part payment for journeys made, but you can use them to cover the full cost of a journey.
Do I qualify for travel vouchers?
To qualify for vouchers issued by Ipswich Borough Council you must live within Ipswich Borough and you must have 'severe mobility impairment'. This is defined as:
anyone with a 'disability or injury which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on their ability to walk'. This being of 'such severity that they are unable to use conventional public transport services at any time (whether or not such services are available)'.
Anyone who is currently fit and able enough to use a "Suffolk Saver" is deemed not to qualify for travel vouchers. Additionally we ask that you give details of a "medical referee" who can endorse your application; to state that you have a severe mobility impairment. The referee does not need to be your doctor but should be someone who is professionally qualified or involved in the treatment or care of your disability.
For further details on the above or to request an application form, please contact:
Travel Voucher Scheme
Ipswich Borough Council
3rd Floor
Grafton House
15-17 Russell Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 2DE
Telephone: 01473 432062
Email: concessionary.fares@ipswich.gov.uk
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Bus Companies in Ipswich
There are two main bus operators within Ipswich:
Ipswich Buses
Ipswich services are provided with low-floor, easy-access buses suitable for use by wheelchair users and people with prams and buggies etc. The requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act means that all bus services must operate with low floor vehicles by 2017.
Contact Information:
Ipswich Buses
Enquiry Office
Tower Ramparts Bus Station
Tower Ramparts
IPSWICH
IP1 3DH.
By post to:
Ipswich Buses Ltd
7 Constantine Road
IPSWICH
IP1 2DL.
Telephone: 0800 919390
E-mail: info@ipswichbuses.co.uk
Website: Ipswich Buses (opens in a new window)
First Eastern Counties Buses
First Eastern Counties Buses Ltd (FEC) are the other main operator in Ipswich, operating two town services from Tower Ramparts but mostly country services from the Old Cattle Market Bus Station on Turret Lane.
Contact Information:
Enquiry Office
Old Cattle Market Bus Station
Turret Lane
IPSWICH
IP4 1AD
By post to:
Customer Services
First Eastern Counties Buses Ltd
Rouen House
Rouen Road
NORWICH
NR1 1RB.
Telephone: 08456 020121
Fax: 01603 615439
E-mail: contactus.fec@firstgroup.com
Website: www.firstgroup.com (opens in a new window)
In addition to the two main bus operators, other smaller bus operators provide services into and out of Ipswich.
For further information, telephone Traveline on: 0870 608 2 608
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Coach Services
Ipswich is served by coaches from operator National Express, whose services all call at the Old Cattle Market Bus Station, on Turret Lane.
Tel: 08705 808080
Website: www.nationalexpress.com (opens in a new window)
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Interactive Journey Planner
An interactive journey planner is available at:
www.travelineeastanglia.co.uk (opens in a new window)