Dial-a-Ride hailed by loyal customer (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Dial-a-Ride hailed by loyal customer

2:53pm Monday 3rd December 2007 in Letters

Sir.-I would like to express my appreciation to all who contribute in any way to keeping the Basingstoke Dial-a-Ride scheme on the road.

By all, I mean the far-sighted councillors, the council tax payers, mechanics and unseen office staff, besides the drivers and anyone else who plays their part.

It is 15 months since I returned to Basingstoke. I returned as a disabled pensioner having been virtually housebound because the terrain where I had been living was not "wheelchair friendly".

So, just to come to a flat, reasonably level area, was a bonus!

To hear about, and then experience, Dial-a-Ride was, and still is, a miracle, opening up the world and giving me the opportunity to see new places and experience doing my own shopping again after some years of buying through catalogues.

More than that, though, is the enjoyable experience that the office staff and the drivers make of it all.

Even when I am late when trying to book a journey, the man at the desk will move heaven and earth to fit me in - and I can safely say that it is not his fault if he is not able to!

The drivers are so helpful and are fun to travel with, but more important is the care they show and their patience when strapping me and my wheelchair safely into place.

Only once in over a year has a Dial-a-Ride been slightly late when picking me up - through no fault of the driver. The same could not be said for my punctuality, but there is never a grumble.

I can't find the right words to express how I feel, except to say thank you publicly to all the staff of Dial-a-Ride - you must be providing the best system of your type in this country and one which every similar system can learn from.

Thank you all of you and long may you continue.

-M Hedges,
Haydn Road,
Basingstoke.