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About the service
About the service
What is Ring & Ride?
Ring & Ride is a door-to-door transport service for anyone living in the West Midlands who finds it difficult or impossible to use public transport.
The service is ideal for anyone:
- suffering from a temporary injury (such as a broken leg, a sprain, a sports injury or recovering from an operation)
- who finds it physically or mentally difficult to use public transport
- people with disabilities who require a door-to-door service
Where does Ring & Ride operate?
Ring & Ride operates across the West Midlands. Registered users can travel within their surrounding area. For example, a passenger living in Aston can travel anywhere in North Birmingham.
The service does not operate in Coventry, Meriden or the surrounding area.
Residents in Coventry and the Meriden Gap can use the West Midlands Bus on Demand service.
Who can use Ring & Ride?
To become a registered user of Ring & Ride you must find it difficult or impossible to use public transport and be resident in one of the following six districts of the West Midlands:
- Birmingham
- Dudley
- Sandwell
- Solihull
- Walsall
- Wolverhampton
Passengers can take a companion and dependent children provided they book in advance. We use minibuses with ramps or lifts, so people who use wheelchairs or find steps difficult can easily use our service.
A wheelchair risk assessment will need to be carried out following the registration process. This could take up to 30 days.
Other local authorities may provide a similar service for residents in their area.
There will not be any Ring & Ride guides or support workers on the vehicle to provide passenger assistance. Drivers can assist getting on and off the vehicle, however passengers must use the vehicles at their own risk.
Passengers can book to take a companion with them. Companions must pay the full fare unless they are registered as an essential companion.
Other passengers who use the service are vulnerable also with a variety of special needs.
Trips are subject to availability, so please bear in mind we may not always be able to accommodate if the service is full. Please ensure you have travel alternatives for essential trips like school or college attendance.
We aim to adhere to a time schedule, however due to the door-to-door nature of the service there is no guarantee of arrival or collection time. Please bear this in mind when using the service to attend classes. No compensation can be paid in the instance of late collection or arrival.
What kind of trips can Ring & Ride be used for?
Passengers can use the service for the same short journeys they would make on public transport such as commuting to and from work, visiting friends, shopping and leisure activities.
Can I use Ring & Ride for hospital appointments?
You can not use Ring & Ride to attend a medical appointment at a hospital.
You can use the service to visit someone in a hospital, or to attend an appointment at a GP.
What if I have a non-emergency hospital appointment?
For hospital appointments, residents can use the West Midlands Ambulance Service Patient Transport Service.
These services provide non-emergency free transport to and from hospital. Find out more about this service.
If unsure, please speak to your GP or local hospital about transport arrangements.
When can I travel?
The Ring & Ride service is available from:
- Monday to Saturday 8am to 11pm
- Sunday 8am to 3:30pm
There is no service on bank holidays. The service may differ over Christmas, New Year and Easter.
When do I need to request a journey?
You can book a journey up to seven days in advance. Journeys must be booked at least one day prior to travel.
How much does Ring and Ride cost?
Registered user (Age 16+)
- £1.30 single
Registered user (Age 5-15)
- £0.65 single
Essential Escort/Carer
- Free
Non-registered users (travelling with a registered user)
- Adults - £2.40 single
- Children under 16 - £0.65
- Children under 5 travel free.
(n) network and (n) bus passes are valid on Ring and Ride services.
Please note that Disabled or Older Persons travel passes are not accepted.