Newmarket Weekly News Article – Day in the life of Dial a Ride Driver

The Newmarket News got the chance to spend a morning with Dial A Ride driver Rita Claydon to find out what the service is all about.

Rita, who has been a driver for nearly 15 years, was picking up six people living in Burwell, Swaffham Bulbeck and the surrounding areas.

She said: “Dial a Ride is vital for people that don’t have cars or where there is no bus service in their area.    “People that use it all make friends and it’s a real lifeline for people.

“If this service wasn’t available, they would never see each other. It’s invaluable.”

Rita said that many people seem to think the service is only for disabled people – but that isn’t the case.      “It’s for anyone who doesn’t have a car or a bus route,” she said. “You can ring the office and they will sort out a trip for you.”

Julie Bard started using Dial A Ride a few years ago and says you gain new friends from the people that use it with you.

She said: “I started getting on very much for the convenience and door to door service. I lost my husband a year ago and started to look at what was available.   “Now we are all a family.”