Introducing Dial-a-Ride
London Dial-a-Ride is a free door-to-door service for disabled people who can't use buses, trains or the Tube
Dial-a-Bus Leaflet: Your Own Personal Bus When and Where You Want it (1974-06-15) by London Transport ExecutiveTfL Corporate Archives
Dial-a-Ride Begins
The origins of Dial-a-Ride date back to 1972, with the introduction by the London Transport Executive of Dial-a-bus in Hampstead
It only lasted until 1976 but, following Camden Council's founding of London's first scheme specifically for disabled residents in 1982, by the late 1980s there were over 25 dial a ride groups across London, subsidised by a £7.2m grant from London Regional Transport. In 2002, TfL took them all over to offer a centralised system.
DIal-a-Ride Minibus (2018-10-30)TfL Corporate Archives
TfL's Dial-a-Ride Supports 1 Million
1 million passenger journeys a year to enable disabled and elderly Londoners to maintain independent lives
Elderly Customers Riding the Dial-A-Ride Minibus (2018-10-30)TfL Corporate Archives
34,000 Members
34,000 people are members of Dial-a-Ride. To provide for them there are 4 main depots, 256 vehicles, and 220 specially trained drivers
Accessibility and safety are core to the design of the Dial-a-Ride minibus fleet
Dial-a-Ride Call Centre Staff (2017-09-29)TfL Corporate Archives
Control Centre
A centralised booking service co-ordinates same day, next day, and advance bookings. It operates 8am until 10pm every day of the year including Bank Holidays and weekends
Dial a Ride (2017-09-26)TfL Corporate Archives
Shopping and Leisure
Dial-a-Ride can be used for trips such as shopping, visiting family and travelling to leisure activities
Dial-a-Ride Drivers
Dial-a-Ride drivers must leave their vehicles to assist customers to get on and off at convenient locations. This can lead to good conversations and even friendships!
Story compiled by TfL.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only.
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