MQT on 2018-02-22
Session date: 
February 22, 2018
Question By: 
Caroline Pidgeon
Liberal Democrats
Asked Of: 
The Mayor


Please state what is Dial-a-Ride's policy towards the booking process of regular trips by users.  Has any change in policy recently taken place and if so what are the reasons for such a change?


Answer for Dial-a-Ride

Answer for Dial-a-Ride

Answered By: 
The Mayor

Dial-a-Ride is predominantly an ad hoc booking service, but it can sometimes offer regular bookings to customers where they are travelling to the same place at the same time each week. Availability is limited, due to the need to keep a proportion of Dial-a-Ride resources free for one-off journey needs while also accommodating, where possible, the convenience of a regular, guaranteed journey.

Previous customer feedback indicated dissatisfaction with the time it took for Dial-a-Ride to process a request for regular arrangements. In November 2017, following consultation with the Dial-a-Ride local area panel focus groups, a more streamlined process was introduced to make this quicker and easier.

Dial-a-Ride now proactively offers regular arrangements to customers where they can be accommodated, saving the need for customers to make a specific request themselves.