City signs new contract with Dial-a-Ride

South Africa - Cape Town - 26 March 2019 - Dial-a-Ride is a public transport service by the City of Cape Town for people with disabilities who due to the nature of their disability are unable to board and/or alight from mainstream public transport such as trains, buses and minibus taxis for their daily commute between home and work. Picture: David Ritchie/African News Agency(ANA)
The City of Cape Town’s Transport Directorate has signed a new contract which will see the Dial-a-Ride service returning to optimal service levels. 

HG Travelling Services has signed a new contract to provide the Dial-a-Ride service for at least another nine months, until 30 September 2020.

Dial-a-Ride has been experiencing capacity constraints over the past few months due to a reduction in the number of vehicles, and a limited budget.

Mayoral committee member for transport, Felicity Purchase, said: “We have managed to secure a bigger budget for the service, meaning, we now have more money available to replace and repair vehicles that are needed to provide the DAR service.”

The City is working with HG Travelling Services to restore the full fleet as soon as possible.

“Some of the vehicles may be ready within days, but in some cases we will have to wait for parts coming from overseas. Be it as it may, we now have the funds and we are committed to having a full fleet of 22 vehicles operational as soon as we can,” said Ms Purchase.

About 3 000 commuters are registered on the Dial-a-Ride database.

Most of the Dial-a-Ride vehicles can accommodate five commuters in wheelchairs and three seated passengers with other needs. Guide dogs are allowed, as well as registered carers.