Andrew Dismore

Dial a Ride (3)

Question No: 2596 / 2012

Andrew Dismore

Will you ensure Dial a Ride Dial a ride arrives at the booked time so that clients do not arrive an hour late for the day centre or have a vehicle arrive to collect them when they are still eating lunch, long before the booked time?

Written response from the Mayor

Unfortunately, there will sometimes be occasions when Dial-a-Ride vehicles arrive late, due to circumstances out of its control, such as severe traffic disruption. Dial-a-Ride strives to minimise these occurrences through efficient and realistic scheduling that takes account of anticipated traffic conditions.

Dial-a-Ride’s Customer Charter pledges the service will arrive within a 15-minute flexible window either side of the time agreed with a customer whenever possible, and that the service will contact the customer if the vehicle is going to be delayed by more than 15 minutes. The service also offers a facility whereby a ‘no earlier or later than’ booking can be requested which is particularly useful for timed activities such as luncheon clubs to ensure the flexible scheduling window is not extended too early or late such that the customers may miss part of their lunch.

Details of any specific concerns should be passed to Dial a Ride so that they can be properly investigated.