Dial-A-Ride service is still inconsistent and unreliable

As the London Assembly's Transport Committee publishes its report on the shortcomings of TfL's Dial-A-Ride service for people with disabilities, the committee's deputy chair, Caroline Pidgeon AM, has commented:
"It cannot be right that Dial-a-Ride is providing fewer journeys than it did eight years ago but is spending 70 per cent more on the service.

"The improvements to some aspects of the service are welcome, but it’s disappointing that people are still experiencing some of the same old problems with the booking system.

"People rely on Dial-a-Ride and are entitled to expect a consistent and reliable service. I urge Transport for London to take the necessary steps to make this a reality."

The report found that the improvement measures which the committee called for a year ago have increased users' satisfaction with the service. However, Dial-a-Ride is still falling short of its performance targets. It provides fewer journeys than it did in 2001/02, despite a large increase in operational expenditure. Users are also still experiencing long waiting times and often make repeated attempts to get through to book a ride.

The Committee also looked at the potential for integrating Dial-a-Ride with other door-to-door transport services including Taxicard, NHS Patient Transport and Capital Call, which London Councils has been reviewing. The Committee’s report calls on the Mayor to ensure TfL works with London Councils to flesh out proposals for public consultation by the end of the year.

You can read further media coverage of the report at the BBC website, Able magazine, and the Mayorwatch blog.

Also, there is local coverage in the Romford Recorder.