VAR operates an extensive, affordable door-to-door transport service for frail, elderly, disabled or vulnerable people in Rutland who have difficulty travelling independently around the wide area covered by the scheme, including out-of-county. It currently has over 3,000 registered users. Volunteer drivers use their own cars to pick up clients and return them to their own homes. They will wait a reasonable time while the appointment or visit is taking place. Clients using the scheme are required to contribute toward the cost of their journey according to a set tariff. Discounts are made for those with valid bus passes or council travel tokens. Services provided include hospital, doctor, dentist and optician appointments; social visiting; shopping; and more… VAR’s booking staff normally require at least seven working days’ notice to allocate a driver, and drives are dependent on driver availability. The enquiries and booking phone line is open from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday; an answer machine will take calls at other times (01572 724705 / transport@varutland.org.uk).
