Full taxis mean OAPs are losing out on the Lord
Wandsworth's elderly population are missing out on their weekly appointment with God because a taxi service which takes them to church is oversubscribed.
Members of Dial-a-Ride, which ferries disabled and elderly people around, rely on the Transport for London (TfL) service to get to church on Sundays.
But some are being refused lifts to their most important engagement of the week because there are simply not enough cars to go around.
Betty Seecoomar, 76, of Dover House Road, Putney, is a long-standing member of the congregation of St Joseph's Church in Roehampton Lane.
But when she tries to book a lift to church with Dial-a-Ride, she is constantly told the service is all booked up.
Mrs Seecoomar said: "I'm a Christian and I can't walk, so I can't go to church on my own. My religion means a lot to me and if I can't get to church I feel very upset."
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Eluned Williams, 88, of Astonville Street, Southfields, has had two strokes and has poor vision. But she can rarely get through to Dial-a-Ride when she calls, and when she does, her booking is often turned down.
She said: "Last year I hardly got any rides at all. Dial-a-Ride is hopeless, I ended up having to get minicabs to drive me around instead."
A TfL spokesman said: "Dial-a-Ride tries to accommodate as many requests as possible, but there are no limits on the number of trips our customers can request.
"For that reason, demand often exceeds supply, particularly at peak times, such as Sunday mornings around the time of church services, and inevitably some requests have to be refused."
Putney MP Justine Greening has taken up the issue with Dial-a-Ride, but TfL claimed it had received no complaints about it.
Ms Greening said: "Dial-a-Ride does not seem to be operating effectively for its customers."
o Do you, your parents or grandparents have trouble getting to church or to the shops? Tell your stpry by emailing letters@wandsworthguardian.co.uk, or by writing to us at 819 London Road, North Cheam, Surrey, SM3 9BN.
this is local london dated monday 30th april 2007