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Dial A Ride has gone from strength to strength since it began in 1983 with just one old ambulance.
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. We have a good laugh and a bit of banter and I love the buzz of knowing I’m helping people.”
Dial A Ride is a registered charity which relies heavily upon donations as it only receives six per cent of running costs from Scarborough Council and the same amount from the Primary Care Trust.
The rest of the organisation’s income is raised through fares, regular transport contracts and fundraising.
For more information about Dial A Ride call (01723) 354434 or go to www.scarborough dialaride.com.
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Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
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