About Dial A Ride Grimsby
Dial A Ride - Grimsby, Cleethorpes & District
Dial A Ride provides accessible transport for people who find it difficult to use public transport due to il
Dial A Ride Grimsby Description
COULD you volunteer some of your spare time to help maintain a vital transport service for elderly and disabled people?
Dial-A-Ride Grimsby and Cleethorpes is looking to recruit new volunteer drivers who can pick up passengers who are unable to drive or use traditional public transport and ferry them across the borough.
The much-needed service, which has been put under additional pressure by rising fuel costs, currently transports about 40, 000 disabled and elderly every year.
One regular passenger, who lives in the remote village of Aylesby, is calling for a volunteer to drive the Dial-A-Ride minibuses.
Joan Doy, 84, said the service is her "lifeline. " There is no bus route in the village where she lives, so she uses the service twice a week to shop and socialise.
Joan rings Dial-A-Ride every week and books her journeys, which cost 75p each way.
Joan said: "It's marvellous.
"We are like one big family who are going on holiday and I look forward to it every week.
"They take me wherever I want to go and it is much cheaper and safer than a taxi.
"I would love an ex-policeman to volunteer to drive the minibus.
"They would be ideal because they know how to work with the public and to communicate with us.
"I'd better be on my best behaviour if we do find one though! "
Co-ordinator Midge Curry, said the service transports more than 400 customers every week and desperately needs more drivers to meet the high demand.
Midge said: "We have got a new fleet of buses so they are easier to drive.
"An ex-policeman would be ideal as they know the area well and they are used to dealing with the public on a daily basis. They have the right mind-set for this job.
"We would call the minibus the Bobby Bus if we find a former policeman to volunteer.
"However, anyone can volunteer to drive for us, all they need is a full and clean driver's licence. "
As reported, the service was set up in 1987 and currently has 15 easily-accessible buses.
Midge added: "On average we have 10 registrations from people who want transport every day and with this demand we need all the volunteers we can get. "
Pete Cordell, 42, who lives near Cleethorpes seafront, has been a volunteer driver for Dial-A-Ride for about 3 years.
He said: "I love it. It makes you feel over the moon knowing that you are making a difference by helping out.
"We all have a good laugh and it's like a big family. "
Volunteer now!
If you would like to volunteer, call Dial-A-Ride on 01472 269199.