The charity – which provides accessible door-to-door transport for those who are either retired, have some form of disability or who have difficulty using other forms of transport – now operates a fleet of eight fully accessible buses.

Last year Dial A Ride completed just under 50,000 passenger journeys and has around 1,900 registered passengers in the Scarborough area.

I joined driver Mick Atkin as he picked up a number of regular passengers travelling to a Support for Carers group session at Allatt House in West Parade Road – which is also where Dial A Ride is based.

Mr Atkin, who has been a driver for 13 years and is also a staff trainer, said: “I enjoy my job very much. I get to meet some really nice people and it’s great to help people get from A to B who might otherwise struggle.”

The first stop was to pick up Donald Cumming, 71, from his home in Seamer Road. Mr Cumming, a retired engineering teacher, suffered a heart attack two years ago and also has epilepsy, so is unable to drive.

He said: “I’ve been using Dial A Ride for about eight months and it’s an excellent service. I travel with them twice a week and I would have great difficulty getting about without them. I would have to get the bus or a taxi and being a pensioner, that’s difficult.

“The drivers are smashing and really helpful. It’s a great service and I’d be lost without it!”

Shirley Melvin, 60, of Station Road, Crossgates, was also travelling to Allatt House. Mrs Melvin, a retired ambulance driver, teaches knitting and sewing at the carers group and is a guest on Fridays.

She said: “I usually drive but I had a brain haemorrhage last year and I’m having an assessment soon to see if I can drive again.

“This service is very handy – I use it twice a week. I know most of the people that get on now.”

Passenger Martin Lister, 71, of Overdale, travels with Dial A Ride every week and said: “It’s a very good service.”

Charles Rees, 78, of Fulford Road, also uses the service every week. The former British Leyland worker said: “It’s wonderful and they really look after you – they do things like help you up and down the steps.”

Dial A Ride is run by manager Julie Banks and deputy manager Tim Lawson, who have both been with the organisation for a number of years.

Mrs Banks said: “The drivers and escorts do a fantastic job and the passengers really appreciate what they do for them. There is a great team spirit.”

Mrs Banks introduced me to the only female driver, Helen Todd, and the longest-standing driver, Steve McConnell, who has been with Dial A Ride for 19 years.

Mrs Todd started as a volunteer driver three years ago and now does the job full time. She said: “This is the first job I’ve ever had where I look forward to coming to work on a morning.”

Mr McConnell said: “It’s such a needed service – we’re on the go from 8.30am to 5pm most days with bookings.

“I love it – the customers are great.