What is Slinky?

Slinky is a door-to-door demand-responsive transport service funded by Somerset Council for people not served by or unable to access conventional transport. All the vehicles are accessible.

The service can be used for various purposes including; getting to local health appointments or exercise classes, visiting friends or family, going shopping or attending social events. You can also use the Slinky as a link to other forms of public transport.

Who can use the Slinky?

You will be eligible to use the Slinky bus if you:

• Do not have access to public bus service,
• Do not have your own transport; or
• Have a disability which means you are unable to access a public bus

The service is available to all eligible passengers which could include parents with young children, teenagers, students, the elderly, the retired and people with disabilities.

If you are eligible you will first need to register as a member of the scheme. You must fill in a registration form and return it to the booking office before you use the service for the first time.

You can then book a journey by contacting your booking office at least 24 hours before you want to travel. Trips can be booked up to two weeks in advance.

For journeys up to 3 miles
Single: £2.50
Return: £4

For journeys over 3 miles
Single: £3.50
Return: £5

There is a 50% fare for English National Concessionary Travel Scheme passes on all SLINKY services within Somerset. Concessionary Pass Holders and children aged between 5-16 will be entitled to a 50% reduction in the cost of the fare. Children under 5 travel free.

You will need to show your pass every time you travel.

Half fares will be:
£1.30 for a single journey up to 3 miles – £2.00 return
£1.80 for a single journey over 3 miles – £2.50 return

Somerset Student County Tickets are also valid on Slinky services.

Register

If you are eligible to register for a Slinky service area, please complete the application form below:

Privacy Notice – Slinky

Data Controller – Somerset Council

Data Protection Officer contact – informationgovernance@somerset.gov.uk

Purpose for processing –Provision of an accessible Bus Service

Legal basis for processing – Public task / Official duty – provision of accessible transport for customers who are eligible

Data Sharing – the personal data provided will be shared with the individual partner transport provider you register with.  As of 1 September 2021 these are: Community transport South West Ltd, Mendip Community Transport, Somerset Council, Accessible Transport West Somerset (ATWEST).

Transfers abroad – this data will not be transferred abroad

Data Retention – this data will be retained for a period of 6 years

Your Rights – You have the right to ask Somerset Council for a copy of your data, the right to rectify or erase your personal data, and the right to object to processing.

However, these rights are only applicable if the Council has no other legal obligation concerning that data. You also have the right to complain to the regulator, ico.org.uk

Consequences:  If you do not supply this information to us, we will not be able to provide you with an accessible bus service

For more information see www.somerset.gov.uk/privacy