Community transport - on demand transport

TAXICARD

If you are unable to use ordinary buses you can apply for a Taxicard which entitles you to receive a discount of up to £3 on a maximum of 104 trips a year.

You may qualify if:

Registered Blind (please include a copy of your letter from Visal Impairment Services)
In receipt of Disability Living Allowance (High Rate Mobility Component or High Rate Attendance Allowance). Please forward a copy of your letter from the Benefits Agency.

In receipt of was pension's mobility supplement. Please forward official letter confirming award.                       Permanent user of a wheelchair. Please give details where supplied from                                                         

In possession of Blue Badge issued by West Lothian Council. Please give badge number and expiry date.               Age 85 or over and has a severe walking difficulty. Please supply proof of age.                                                 Suffering from dementia (must be certified by hospital authorities).                                                                  Suffering from a terminal illness affecting mobility(must be certified by General Practitioner or hospital.                 Suffering from certain neurological disorder, such as motor neurone disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis or strokes which result in the applicant being unable to walk without stopping, being in server discomfort or requiring help from another person. This must be confirmed by either the hospital authorities or General Practitioner.             Suffering from agoraphobia, as certified by Community Psychiatric Nursing Service (CPNS). A letter of endorsement from the CPNS is also required.

Carlink Service

Summary

Certain rural areas and neighbouring communities in West Lothian are linked by a special low-cost taxi service called Carlink. The service, subsidised by the council, is operated by Glenn''s Private Hire and Topcars Taxis and runs to places where buses do not operate. It links people in rural areas into the nearest towns, allowing visits to health and sports centres, shopping, work or leisure trips and connects to bus and rail routes.

Eligibility

Anyone wishing to travel to or from rural areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Carlink work?

If you want to travel, simply call Glenn Private Hire on 01506 500578 or Topcars Taxis on 01506 444444 at least 45 minutes before journey. Please state your exact pick up point, destination and whether you have any connection to make, also mention that you are making a Carlink journey.

Carlink will pick up at any point within the designated area and set down at the points shown on the timetable or any other convenient location on the line of route.

When is the Carlink service available
G1, T2, T3 and T4 - 0700-2300 (daily) G5 - 1900-2300 (Monday-Saturday) - 0900-2300 (Sunday) T6 - 0700-2300 (Sunday) T7 - meets 2033 bus arrival at Armadale for Livingston, St John''s Hospital (First Route 8) (NOT available Christmas day, Boxing Day or 1 and 2 January).
Where does Carlink operate? The Carlink service operates return journeys on the following routes. Between: G1 - Roman Camp/Drumshoreland -Broxburn/Uphall Station; T2 - Beecraigs - Linlithgow; T4 - Parkhead/Westwood/Harburn/Crosswoodhill/Cobbinshaw - West Calder; G5 - Newton/Woodend - Linlithgow/Winchburgh; T6 - Breich - West Calder; T7 - Armadale/Blackridge - Westcraigs/Westrigg.

What about my return trip?
Either book your return at the time of outward travel or by telephone at least 45 minutes before departure.
How much do I pay? G1 - £1.00 adult, 50p child (Roman Camp/Drumshoreland - Broxburn/Uphall Station; T2 - £1.50 adult, 75p child (Gowanbank - Linlithgow/Bathgate; T3 - £1.10 adult, 55p child (Beecraigs - Linlithgow; T4* - £1.00 adult, 50p child (Westwood/Parkhead/Harburn - W Calder); T4** - £1.60 adult, 80p child (Crosswoodhill/Cobbinshaw - W Calder); G5 - £1.50 adult, 75p child (Newton/Woodend - Linlithgow/Winchburgh; T6 - £1.20 adult, 60p child (Breich - West Calder); T7 - £1.00 adult, 50p child (Armadale/Blackridge - Westcraigs/Westrigg. West Lothian concessionary travel permits offering travel at 60p per single journey are also valid.

Will I share the car?
Possibly. The Carlink operator will tell anyone who pre-books if other passengers are already booked in.

 Contacts

  Public transport, County Buildings, High Street, Linlithgow, EH49 7EX; tel. (01506) 775288; fax. (01506) 775265

  Glenn Private Hire, telephone 01506 500578.
Topcars Taxis, telephone 01506 444444.