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Dial-a-Bus

Dial-a-Bus services are available to passengers who have difficulty using public transport. SPT operates 34 wheelchair-accessible buses that pick up elderly, infirm or disabled people from their homes and provide them with transport.

  • What is Dial-a-Bus?
  • Dial-a-Bus helps people who are unable to use or have difficulty in using standard buses, access their local community.

    It can be used for:

    • shopping
    • visiting friends
    • attending local clubs
    • doctor and health centre appointments
    • hospital visiting.

    Dial-a-Bus cannot be used for hospital appointments. If you have difficulty attending hospital appointments, please contact your GP surgery.

    If using Dial-a-Bus for shopping, please bring only as much shopping as you are able to comfortably carry yourself.

    Dial-a-Bus can take you to and from your local rail services, and many rail stations are now wheelchair-accessible. First ScotRail are happy to arrange help at the station and you can do this by calling 0800 91 22 901.

    All Dial-a-Bus vehicles are wheelchair-accessible, with low floor ramp access at the front of the vehicle. The vehicle will pick up and drop off as near as possible to your home and chosen destination. The driver will assist you on and off the bus and you are welcome to bring a friend if you feel their support will help.

  • What is the Dial-a-Bus operating area?
  • You can download a map showing the areas in which SPT operates demand-responsive transport services, including Dial-a-Bus.

    Download the Dial-a-Bus operating area map
    (pdf format, 566kb, opens a new window).

  • Who qualifies to use Dial-a-Bus?
  • Dial-a-Bus is available to people who are unable to use or have difficulty in using standard buses and who meet any of the qualifying conditions shown.

    Applicants who meet any of the conditions listed under 1 to 3 are automatically eligible to use Dial-a-Bus.

    1. Receipt of any one of the following Department for Work and Pensions allowances:

    • Attendance allowance
    • Disability living allowance mobility component at the higher rate
    • War pensioners' mobility supplement (current proof of qualifying benefit must be provided on application).

    OR

    2. Registered as blind

    OR

    3. Over 80 years old.

    4. If none of the above apply but you have difficulty using standard public transport you may still qualify to use Dial-a-Bus. Please fill out the application form giving full details of your medical condition.

    5. Temporary Registration Applicants with a temporary disability such as a broken leg may apply for temporary registration for up to four months.

  • Making a booking
  • Your booking line number can be found on the front of your timetable leaflet.

    Call your booking office number and you will be asked for your Dial-a-Bus registration number, your destination and when you would like to travel.

    We will attempt to give you journey times as close to the times you request. Please remember that the journey times we give you are approximate. In order to accommodate as many trips as we can we may move your pick up time. If your time is moved by more than 10 minutes earlier or later, we will advise you before the booking lines close.

    Sometimes, due to high demand, you may find the line is engaged when you dial. Should you get the engaged tone, please hang up and re-dial.

    Advance bookings

    Dial-a-Bus users have the option of making advance bookings. Please call your booking line after 2pm to arrange your advance bookings.

    Group bookings

    If there are more than three people regularly travelling to the same place at a set time, we will be happy to arrange a group booking, subject to availability. This allows one person from the group to make the booking for everyone in the party.

  • Making your trip
  • To minimise waiting time for all passengers, please be ready a few minutes before your pick-up time, ready to board your bus.

    The driver will give any assistance you require to board the vehicle from the pavement and when you leave, from the bus back to the pavement. However, the driver is unable to provide assistance from inside your home to the bus.

    When travelling please remember to bring along your Dial-a-Bus membership card and your National Concessionary Entitlement Card. Should you lose your Dial-a-Bus card, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange a replacement card for you.

  • Public holiday operation
  • Dial-a-Bus does not operate on Christmas Day or New Year's Day.

    On other public holidays we will advise you of any changes by placing posters on vehicles and leaving newsletters on the vehicle for you to collect. You can also call our recorded information line, 0845 128 4026.

  • Fares
  • Here are the fares per single journey:

    National Concessionary Entitlement Card Holders travel free.

    For Escorts, Escorts with Companion Cards Holders and children aged 5 to 15, the price will be confirmed at the time of travel.

    Applicants must hold a valid National Concessionary Entitlement Card before you can access the Dial-a-Bus service.

    If you do not hold a card please contact Strathclyde Partnership for Transport's Travel Card Unit on 0141 333 3211.

  • To apply for Dial-a-Bus
  • Download the Dial-a-Bus application form
    (pdf format, opens a new window) and print it out.

    Then either complete the form and return it, or telephone 0845 128 4025 and a member of staff will be happy to complete the form for you over the phone.

    You will need to send in a passport-sized photograph clearly showing your face. Please note this can be a regular photograph cut to size.

    If you have difficulty in filling out the form or obtaining a photograph, please do not hesitate to telephone our enquiry line on 0845 128 4025 for assistance.

    Completed application forms should be returned to:

    Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
    Dial-a-Bus Unit
    Consort House
    12 West George Street
    Glasgow
    G2 1HN

  • Download a pdf
  • The information on this page, including the map and application form, can be downloaded as a pdf file.

    Download the Dial-a-Bus information leaflet
    (pdf format, 1.3Mb, opens a new window).

  • Other languages
  • Dial-a-Bus information is now available in a range of other languages. All documents are in pdf format and open in a new window.


Get Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Reader (Version 7 or Higher) may be required to view some of the publications.  You can download it from Adobe Acrobat Reader Site.

Journey Planner



Services may be altered during public holidays. Please check the Traveline Scotland site.


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