COVID-19 Service Update 13/08/2020

Dial-A-Ride is operational. There are some changes to procedures in line with Government Guidelines and to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers and staff. Please watch the following short film:


At the time of booking passengers will be asked: 

  • how you are feeling, 
  • do you have any symptoms associated with Covid-19 such as high temperature or a continuous cough, 
  • if you have noticed any difference in taste and smell, 
  • and if you are self-isolating. 

If you answer yes to any of these questions then travel will be refused.

Our driver will ask you the same questions when he arrives to collect you to see if there has been any changes since booking. If you answer yes to any questions, travel will be refused. Please call the office if you are not well enough to travel.

Procedures for protecting passengers, escorts and drivers:

  • Face masks must be worn by passengers and escorts unless they are exempt e.g COPD or other similar conditions. 
  • Drivers will have face masks on when helping passengers; 
  • Drivers will use hand sanitiser before getting in and out the vehicles and before and after helping passengers; 
  • and disinfect all areas required in between journeys. 
  • Vehicles are thoroughly disinfected at the beginning and end of each shift and each week will be deep cleaned weekly by using a Fogger ULV disinfectant mist sprayer.

Please call your local office to book transport:

Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian - 0131 447 9949                                   West Lothian - 01506 633953

Dial-A-Bus services are still suspended for now. 

Welcome to HcL

HcL Transport is a registered charity, set up in 1982 as Handicabs (Lothian), to provide accessible transport for people in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

We provide door-through-door transport services meeting personal mobility needs by providing the assistance needed at the start and end of a journey. This may be assisting people with getting their coat on or locking their door for them. It may be providing an arm as they walk out from their home to the bus. It may be ensuring that they are safely in their home after the journey. 

We provide support to people of any age who have mobility challenges. The includes elderly; people with disabilities and/or Additional Support Needs; people with health issues (long term or short term); and geographic remoteness.

We provide a service 365 days a year, evenings and weekends (subject to driver availability). We provide 2 services – Dial-A-Ride and Dial-A-Bus. 

Our services help people to get out more, feel less isolated and more independent. Passengers tell us:

‘The service is second to none. The drivers can’t do enough for us and make you feel special which is lovely as most pensioners are invisible to young folk.’ 


‘The bus picks me up at the door and same on return. I love using it to meet my friends – old & new. The drivers are so cheery and helpful.’