A voluntary transport service operating throughout Pembrokeshire, has become invaluable during the COVID 19 pandemic.
The Pembrokeshire Voluntary Association of Public transport (PACTO) was established in 2004 to bring together, strengthen and represent the community transport sector in Pembrokeshire. PACTO is supported by PAVS and the Welsh Government. It helps those who don’t have access to their own transport and who don’t have, or can’t use public transport services, to access facilities and appointments across Pembrokeshire. Thanks to funding from the National Lottery, the charity has been able to develop a variety of services, including cars, minibuses, scooters and hospital transport, run by volunteers offering their services and own transport to help others.
Mrs Devi Pyndiah, of Pembroke Dock, recently used the Country Cars part of the service to access a local doctor’s surgery for her COVID 19 injection. Devi doesn’t drive and could not access public transport to attend her appointment. As she was only notified a day before she needed to travel, she found she couldn’t ask a family friend to assist her.
The service was arranged for her through a call to Pembrokeshire County Council and a lady came to pick her up, staying with her during her appointment and ensuring she was okay to return home after.
Devi says,
“I had a very nice experience. A lady picked me up and waited for me for two hours, while I was in the surgery. You don’t get that with public transport. It would have cost me 3 times what I paid to have a taxi to take me to my appointment.”
The service is offered for a small fee, with concessions for bus pass holders. Volunteers have costs covered for mileage and petrol. PACTO are currently seeking more volunteer drivers for the service. Find out more here.
Devi says she has found the service invaluable and wouldn’t hesitate to use it in future,
“It’s a very good service. I take my hat off to these people volunteering their time and using their own cars to help others.”
In usual times, pre-COVID 19, users could access a dial-a-ride service, which saw mini buses transporting groups of people all across Pembrokeshire. Currently, transport is limited, with Country Cars being available for essential, health related journeys.
RVS (who operate Country Cars) and PACTO Bus Buddies have refocused support to ensure that passengers who are now isolated / isolating at home have the support they need. This is linking closely with the Community Support Hub which has been established by PCC and PAVS. The Community Support Hub can be reached at:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-community-information/community-hub Telephone: 01437 776301 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm)
Take Me Too! is still available to assist with lift sharing for people who need to make an essential journey during this period. We have issued some advice about lift-sharing during the Coronavirus crisis here: https://takemetoo.co.uk/en/news/take-me-too-update-lift-sharing-during-covid-19-outbreak/
The PIVOT service is still busy, providing transport home from hospital and support for people who have recently been discharged or to prevent unnecessary admissions.
Devi says,
“We thank the team of volunteers who are still working hard on this service, including several new volunteers who have transferred from other RVS services to provide extra support during this period.”
Wheelchair Accessible Cars are still available for hire for essential journeys. Contact 01437 711042.
Pembrokeshire’s public transport services have also been severely affected, with many timetable changes and several services operating on a ‘dial-a-ride’ only basis. More information about changes to local bus services can be found here: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/public-bus-service-changes-in-pembrokeshire. Information about changes to local train services can be found here: https://tfwrail.wales/homepage
