Your views

Patrick Lewis
Member since 1995

Patrick and his wife would not be without it having used Dial-a-Ride since Patrick had a stroke. Headway recommended Dial-a-Ride to the couple and Mrs Lewis says "The service is invaluable. It enables Patrick to get around Gloucester for various things, whilst I can still get out to work. The staff are so friendly and I know Patrick is in safe hands. For a return fare of just £3 it is well worth it!"

Joanne Medley
Member since 2001

Living Independently in Gloucestershire recommended Dial-a-Ride to Joanne and she says "It is a very good service and doesn't cost much. I can use my concessionary bus tickets and I get door-to-door transport from my house to MS Centre at Quedgeley for just £3." Joanne also uses it for social activities which is a great way of retaining her independence.

The minibuses owned by Dial-a-Ride are all fully accessible and this makes it easy to accommodate people with very different mobility impairments. For Joanne it is much better than a taxi, "The passenger lift means I can stay in my wheelchair and then the driver makes sure I am safe and secure on the bus."

Like many people in Gloucester, Joanne thought Dial-a-Ride was exclusively for older people and was a bit wary about using it - "I thought I was too young to use Dial-a-Ride and to begin with I didn't want to be seen on the bus. After realising what it was like and how friendly every one is I thought "who cares"! Funny thing now is that my friends wave to me when they see the bus!! I would recommend it to people of any age"

Mr McAulay - temporary member

Local resident Mr Mcaulay of Northfield Square used Dial-a-Ride regularly following a hip replacement. Like many people in Gloucester he was unaware of the service. He says, "Due to my arthritis I could have used Dial-a-Ride for years if only I'd known about it! It is ideal for meeting friends, shopping and socialising."

Mr Mcaulay appreciates that Dial-a-Ride is a collective bus service and not a taxi, saying "For getting to and from appointments you do need to allow yourself more time but Dial-a-Ride is excellent value for money at just £3 return." To make use of the extra time, while waiting on the bus to take him home, he took advantage of the Shopmobility scooters to see old and new parts of Gloucester City centre.

Bruce Painter - member since 1997

I feel I must say how much I admire "Dial-a-Ride and say "Thank you". I am in my 86th year but it means that I can still be independent by doing my own shopping. Another pleasure is that I meet the same people every week so we have all become friends. I've always wondered how you managed to get such lovely people to work for you.   Lindsay always picks me up in the mornings and as I was born and bred in the forest he says "Good morning owd butt" which is manna to a Forester. I could go on forever but as they say when launching a ship "God Bless all who sail in her"   I say God Bless all who work for Dial-a-Ride.

Donna Marshall - Phoenix Club Manager, Matson

I understand that you have reviewed the dial-a-ride services and making changes in provision to shape your service into a needs led service. The weekend trips are going down a storm at the Phoenix and it really has made a difference to a number of our clients who are socially isolated.