The 969 Twice-a-Week Bus / Dial-A-Ride Service

[@qwertyTRiG]

I imagine that the person going to Buckingham Palace by Dial-a-Ride was very deliberately making a point. And I love that.

[@eadweard.]

What point?

[@Shinycelebi]

​@@eadweard.That the service can literally take you anywhere...

[@qwertyTRiG]

@@eadweard. That it's an important service they rely on, I'd say.

[@Caroleonus]

Yes I love that! They were probably offered a private hire car but made a point to do Dial-a-Ride so the pictures seen here would get out there

[@PeterGaunt]

@@eadweard. Something like 'Anywhere YOU can go I can go too but I have to take a bus'.

[@TheoFennel]

I am a manager at Dial-A-Ride. Was a driver for 6 years. Such an incredible service. Those are the great teams I get to work with every day.

[@DenkyManner]

I love seeing things like this, services being run because they are the right thing to do, and everyone involved understands this and does it for that reason

[@fin720s]

Yeah, this is why deregulated busses in the UK doesn't work, and is a breach of human rights

[@Mgameing123]

@@fin720s Alot of mobility routes exist still with deregulated buses.

[@fin720s]

@@Mgameing123 yeah under council contracts which the counsils loose so much more money on than if they could run it them themselves end often and up having to stop services because of lack of funds. There is no point of denying that the small amount of casses where privatisation has benefits doesn't outweigh the negatives of it, which is the bus service should be run based on where people want to and need to go, not where they will make the most money. And any money from a transport network should be reinvensted into local public transport not funneld to foreign owned shareholders often including companies owned by foreigned state owned companies such as until recently deustche Bahn with arriva and nederlandse spoorwagen with abellio and of course keolis (owned by SNCF) with the dlr, metro link and govia Thameslink railway (although that's not busses but still)

[@PeidosFTW]

Because the govt pays them too​@@Mgameing123

[@AMacProOwner]

4:06 "Can carry wheelchairs of *all* descriptions..." That's such a fantastic thing to achieve.

[@Sierraomega1991]

It actually is as most buses and trains can only accommodate chairs under 300kg so most power and a lot of specialist wheel chairs can't travel via bus and train

[@GreenJimll]

That Dial-a-Ride is a blooming good accessible public transport service, especially with it running 365 days per year. Top job TfL!

[@chrishenry-my8wp]

Not great for the poor staff that have to work Christmas Day. As an ex bus driver I fully understand how bad bus drivers shifts are and having to work Christmas Day is too much

[@beemz8841]

​@@chrishenry-my8wpnot that I disagree but how is a single bus that runs once in a day any worse than literally any other TfL drive shift?

[@ofallsadwords3207]

​@@chrishenry-my8wp Several cultural populations don't celebrate Christmas; I'm fairly certain at least some people in those populations probably work for transit systems. Transit is (or should be) a 24-7-365 business; those who want holidays off should work in another industry. Love, someone whose careers have been in healthcare and hospitality and therefore has never had a holiday off.

[@ballyhigh11]

@@ofallsadwords3207 The total shutdown of public transport on xmas day in the UK is a relatively new thing. Up until the 80s some buses and trains operated on 25th.

[@barvdw]

@@chrishenry-my8wp not working on Christmas Day is quite unique to the UK, I work in public transport, and either I work, or I use the train to get to where my family is gathered. I have known others, like nurses, who would ask to work on the holidays because they preferred not to meat their in-laws or something, and that includes people in my family :p

[@marthaanderson2656]

The Christmas Day service being so well used truly made my heart happy.

[@SamLTate]

This is so fantastic. I loved the bit where James was talking about how trips to the pub and theatre are just as important for them to do because we want people to be able to participate in society!

[@alexmaclachlan7610]

It sounded like he was genuinley passionate about helping everyone participate in society. I bet he gets so much satisfaction from his job. The use of that service on Christmas day made me so happy.

[@rikufryderyk]

Absolutely brilliant mini-documentary about the Dial-a-Ride service. I've always been curious to know more about this specific service, so thanks for the video! It's so nice that TFL invited you to walk around their depot :)

[@BusesOfHanworth]

The fact the 969 goes near my house :)

[@balanceis_key]

TfL has lots of issues, but its moments like this that show how exemplary it can be in its field.

[@LumiereDarlin]

(Disabled American here) it’s so cool that they have bus(es) for those who can’t quite do the regular tube or other buses. Really quite thoughtful - I love that! To have regular public transportation AND specialized is so above and beyond. And it takes them to FUN THINGS too, not just necessities and doctors appts! That’s really awesome, people never think about disabled people wanting to have FUN too. Oh to live in the UK 🥰

[@PeidosFTW]

Tfl seems to usually do the right thing. Sad that it is doomed to deal with Tories addiction to austerity

[@alexandra-hoffmann]

It's amazing to see the dial-a-ride service in London, from an American perspective. The vehicles look futuristic, well maintained and i was amazed to see that they are actually purpose-built for people with mobility impairments. Its a wonderful contrast to most paratransit here, which feels like an afterthought despite being such an important service that so many people rely on

[@tonys1636]

Had to spend 6 months in a wheelchair due to a back injury when at school, wheelchair users had to travel in the baggage van of a train, no access to anything, need a pee, take a bottle with one, which was often in winter as were freezing. The British Railways staff were fantastic carrying one in the chair up and down the station stairs or pushing one across the tracks.

[@henkmagnetic3103]

Would it be goer in the USA as there is no fare charged to those that use this service. However, I feel there is plenty that profit from this service in so many ways but not monetarily. Brought a tear to my eyes watching.

[@pcackett91]

I am fortunate enough to be a fully abled person. But the 969 and Dial-A-Ride are exactly the right things we should be doing for those less abled to be included properly in society, it is excellent to see how well used and widely available these are in London.

[@LancashireLass]

I cheered when he said Coachbuilders in Rochdale. About time we had some good publicity, even if only in transport nerd circles. That'll be Mellor Buses, I should think.

[@kenlansdowne7963]

Mellor, but I believe they were built in Scarborough at the Bluebird works - they used to build the Dial a Ride buses before Mellor took over - the model is their Tucana.

[@alangiles2763]

I have sure Sir Keir would much rather talk about buses than Mr Ali!

[@robWolvesfan1]

As someone who works for a bus operator who also operates a dial-a-ride service (in Nottingham, worth checking out!) this is fascinating. Love to see how other operators do it and the differences there are

[@theimaginativelad3491]

I assume that's what I keep seeing in Gotham and East Leake?

[@robWolvesfan1]

@@theimaginativelad3491 no that’s DRT. We do Easylink in the city boundary

[@lisakaz35]

This is phenomenal. Sadly, I need a rollator with arm rests right now. I have zero sense of balance and can barely stand up still and stay upright. I think my extra wide rollator could go up that back opening. I feel immobile and shut in here (US). This is brilliant and so encouraging that I need not be dependent and solitary.

[@a11oge]

This is such an impressive Dial-A-Ride service by TfL. And 1500 on Xmas day just shows how well people are using the service. GM does a great job getting to speak to all the staff. The TfL manager seems ideal for the role.

[@henkmagnetic3103]

True, he gives the right vibe.

[@jonathanirons231]

Thank you so much for your ongoing attention to accessibility. Keep up the amazing work.

[@Paolobyer]

Please do more bus content like this, i love it so much

[@transportationuk7656]

Yes. Go to @AndMoreCentral otherwise known as Alex for your bus content needs.

[@carolstott5337]

I'm a huge London transport nerd and I've always been curious about Dial-a-Ride - I've seen them around and never really knew what they were. This was a great mini documentary!

[@highpath4776]

It has changed over the years from regional London to a London wide integrated, some "community transport" areas operate as sub contractors, providing depot space, rather than being in the main London Transport contractor bus garages.

[@BristolRE]

Another bus video! You're spoiling us now, keep it up!

[@highpath4776]

@@geofftech2 464Connect ?

[@HenrysAdventures]

I didn't know much about Dial-A-Ride but I can see it's a great asset to London!

[@rolandharmer6402]

What a wonderful thing Dial-a-Ride is!

[@mst4309]

It’s fun how this gets a dedicated video in London. Not far out in Berkshire there’s bus stop signs everywhere with no buses whatsoever. Also a 7min bus that runs once a day! Wooooooooo

[@DanBen07]

Yeah I live in a town in Sussex. One road the council kept the upkeep of a bus stop for route that was discontinued years ago years later removed the bus stop the more years later now there's a Hail and ride. Another area had a bus shelter they Council kept the upkeep long after the route was discontinued because buses couldn't fit. Also there's one really long road with one bus stop in the middle drivers don't like it when you try and get on anywhere else I wish it would be Hail and ride.

[@tonys1636]

Aldershot & District logo on them by any chance?

[@RS-pb2se]

There’s bus stops all over the country when nothing serves them as the routes have been withdrawn. There’s one in Hackney.

[@nathanw9770]

​@@RS-pb2se Was that for the 812?

[@RS-pb2se]

@@nathanw9770 Not sure about the 812. I am thinking of the 30 when the route changed to use Wick Road instead of Kenton Road

[@nicolasnegrier1591]

In a world of cut backs and Tory austerity, I'm so proud that a service like this still exists

[@DBCPFCJosh]

What an incredible service I had no idea existed. I hope everyone who works on it is as proud to do so as they should be

[@Shinycelebi]

In America, New Jersey Transit also has one last 900 series bus route, the 986. A weekday only service with about a dozen trips a day.

[@Edwardburgess-ro4mh]

In Australia, we have a train service that only runs twice a week. The OVERLAND train runs between Melbourne, Vic. (over 5 million people) to Adelaide, S.A. (1.3 million people). At one time we had seven services each way until it was privatised many years ago.

[@the_retag]

7 a week i guess? 7 a day would be like a decent route in europe with 2h schedule

[@XCorruptX]

Dial-a-ride is absolutely amazing, i see them all the time in our local area and i feel glad to see the service they provide for those who need it!

[@robertlalor8090]

What a brilliant service is Dial-a-Rise. Such an uplifting vlog. Thanks for sharing Geoff.

[@lennart442]

Thanks!

[@liamkennedy8864]

Not the only Christmas Day public transport! Merseytravel also provides free buses on Christmas Day across Merseyside, usually adapted commercial routes though there are some special ‘H’ prefixed routes, primarily for going to/from hospitals but they can of course be used by anyone for any stop on the route

[@CheekyBandit]

Christmas Day buses also run in Hampshire, on the Isle of Wight and in Keighley. Where I live taxis slap a surchage on seasonal fares.

[@JessieLC]

i go to roehampton uni and have always wondered about the 969!! i've never seen it running on the roads but i've read the info at the stops around here. i've been watching this channel since i was 14 so seeing a video literally at the asda i go to every week (with the uni bus in the background) is really surreal for me!!!

[@Peter_S_]

What an excellent service and an excellent video. This bus content is brilliant and it's heartwarming to hear of this Dial-A-Ride service. 🚌

[@king_artur]

Amazing to see you out in Mortlake and giving the 969 the love it deserves

[@Cabin_Pat]

I had no idea about Dial-a-Ride. It sounds absolutely wonderful, thanks for including it in your 969 video. Maybe there's scope to expand and spread awareness of it in the future?..

[@Nooticus]

Undoubtedly one of your best videos in a while. Both subjects were equally interesting, the bus was great, and the dial-a-ride service is really something to be proud of. Truly the best city on earth.

[@joermnyc]

Here in NYC we have Access-A-Ride run by the MTA… but for years it was known to users as “Access-A-Mess” because of late service, abruptly canceled service, and over poorly run service. The system has really been turned around since and it’s much more reliable and has a fleet of new accessible vehicles that look like the newer blue and gold busses/express coach busses the city introduced a few years back.

[@elroyvanderley6460]

What a great video Geoff! Loved the behind the scenes and the interviews! Nice to see the people who actually make all of it possible! This truly touched my heart!

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

A Geoff and Roger video. Perfect in every way. 👏👏👍😀

[@Peter_S_]

It's always good to see Roger.

[@thesteelrodent1796]

On the Danish equivalent of dial-a-ride for the impaired, the buses have lifts instead of ramps, because pushing a wheelchair up/down ramps can be dangerous for the driver and passenger, since a large adult in a wheelchair with various equipment and stuff can easily mean you'd end up having to push well over 120 kg. Dealing with that much weight up a ramp is tough and poses a health risk for the driver. With the lifts they can safely take on very heavy passengers, while keeping them on a level surface at all times. Some of our buses also carry stair climbers, so they can take disabled passengers up and down however many floors are required (when there's no elevator/lift available), without making them get out of the wheelchair

[@awild10]

Thanks for making this video Geoff. I, like i imagine most viewers of your channel, was not aware of quite what an operation the Dial a ride service is and how important it is to those who rely on it. It really deserves more credit for what it does for those less able to use the rest of the public transport network.

[@123stephm]

I love this accessibility series…. Great work Geoff & TfL 😊

[@Fan652w]

Thanks Geoff for another excellent bus video! But one thing you demonstrate to non-London viewers is the huge gap between London bus services and those in the rest of the country. If 'leveling up' is to mean anything, then the London way of organizing bus services must be extended to the rest of Britain. This should be a central plank in Sir Keir Starmer's campaign at the next General Election.

[@LeeAvison]

I have seen loads of these in London and i always wanted to know about them. Geoff you have done it again ! Brilliant Mini Documentary Geoff , Loved it and i love Buses even more so now than tomorrow !

[@MidlandMark]

A fantastic video, highlighting an incredible socially-neccessary service - well done, TfL.

[@Dean256]

What a great idea. We need this in Lincolnshire. I live in Skegness and we have a lot of people who are disabled and this would be a lifeline for some of the locals who cannot use the normal buses in the summer as they are cluttered up with tourists.

[@Bisylizzie]

We do! Lincolnshire Callconnect was a lifesaver for me when I couldn't travel on public transport easily, so possibly worth looking into, if you hadn't already/wasn't already aware of it.

[@markhedges1194]

Brilliant video Geoff, thanks for taking the time to film and report on this excellent service!

[@LarryT88]

This is what makes London different - really love to see that - and thank you for covering, Geoff

[@EddEdmondson]

Geoff, this is a hugely important revelation to me. I thank you. And the person I help may well be crying when I tell her about this service. Thank you.

[@kevinh96]

The Dial A Ride service in West Yorkshire operates quite differently to this one. I looked into it for my mother who has severe mobility problems a few months ago but so far she hasn't used it. Basically it's not restricted to elderly or people with mobility problems, anyone can use it and pay a standard fare if their area is not served by regular service buses, but they will prioritise those in vulnerable groups if the bus fully booked. You do have to register and pre book your journey and it only operates until 5pm in the early evening. Still a valuable service for those unable to access regular service buses for whatever reason.

[@highpath4776]

London did have Dial-A-Ride for all (experimental) with Ford Transits in the 1970s - Harlow was one town, and Hampstead was another (along with 3 other fixed route minibus services. As they became successful the vehicles were increased in size and became more conventional, followed by the requirement for all buses to be standard wheelchair accessible ( though as Dial A Ride shows there are more than just physical disabilities, more than the standard wheelchair and also the average 400m to a bus stop is too much for some folk ).

[@Bellabambina123]

Yeah most regions that have this call it "community transport" and not everywhere has it & you have to pay so I was surprised to hear that it's free in London!

[@ILikeHobbies]

Thanks for this vid Geoff, always great to see you.

[@nataliec6041]

So great to see Geoff highlighting what a valuable service Dial a Ride offers! It is fantastic, when it’s available. Here’s the thing. During COVID the service was scaled way back, and many DAR drivers took redundancy…. And not enough of them were replaced when the time came. I’d love to use DAR more often than I do but I don’t use it for regularly scheduled trips, I use it on an as-needed basis. I usually request a ride 24-48 hours ahead of time and I’d say I’m offered a ride maybe 50% of the time, because of no availability. Sometimes I’m offered a one way journey and I’ll have to get a taxi the other way, which of course gets expensive. The irony is that I’m retired TfL staff, and if I were able to use London Buses on my own I could travel for free!

[@michellebell5092]

I’m just a huge fan of buses, and this shows why they are great . Thanks GM for featuring these two great services, especially the Dial A Ride, I’ve been intrigued by these and now I know all about them.

[@philiptaylor7902]

What an amazing service and run by such lovely people. Thanks for showcasing this, Geoff

[@tededmunds8476]

What a fantastic service, and great to see the enthusiasm and professionalism from all the staff at every level. I was quite taken aback by just how many buses the service utilises. Bravo to everyone keeping this vital service running - TFL should stick an extra zero on their pay! Makes me wonder how life for my parents would have been when they were working in care homes across the capital in the 80s and 90s had such a service been available. Perhaps there was an equivalent? Can’t imagine it would have been on this scale though. Credit to Jeff for shining a light on such a brilliant service.

[@enhydramatic]

6:48 - “We’ll give you a ring and let you know that you’re a member” - and at this very moment the phone rings. Perfect timing.

[@jh-ec7si]

Think that was a cheeky Geoff edit from the next shot

[@DanLoudShirts]

An excellent mini-doc raising awareness of, I suspect, a little-known TfL service. Nice work!

[@becsterbrisbane6275]

What an incredible service- from Brisbane, Australia, so well done, TfL!

[@Football-gaming-Highlights]

Loving the bus content geoff

[@geofftech2]

Then you’re gonna love next week’s video … ! 😊

[@Sim0nTrains]

Nice seeing some bus related videos Geoff. Enjoyed watching this one.

[@skyline3694]

This is an absolutely fantastic, and essential service, well done TFL! I reckon being a Dial-A-Ride driver would be rewarding also.

[@oohkumar]

Great to see Roger again.

[@Professor_sckinnctn]

Wow, what a great service! Especially on Christmas Day, which I was genuinely impressed by.

[@mikestraveldiary]

One of the cooliest video geoff has ever done. Well done sir 👏

[@heckinheck]

Never realised there was a Dial-a-Ride in London Great vid as always 😄

[@neeha9449]

I also only realized it back in Christmas when they say it was the only one operating (+ santander cycles) during that day in a news somewhere.

[@jettfellows9839]

This service is invaluable!

[@jayfielding1333]

Mr Mead seems like the absolutely perfect person for that role. What an incredible job they all do.

[@wetcardie66]

seriously impressed bang on

[@ed_menno]

As a non-Londoner who has always found the bus network unfathomable when i visit, videos like this help me understand a bit more about what's going on.

[@koputai]

What a great service Dial-A-Ride is, as is the 969. Thanks Geoff and the Bootmaster for showing us.

[@richardarmstrong6513]

I know an awful lot about the London Transport System. I didn't know anything about Dial A Ride. It's an outstanding service. Brilliant from TFL 👏🏻👏🏻

[@anderzam4380]

Funnily, school bus lines in the Netherlands start with a 6 as well. Great video Geoff!

[@Imswag085]

We need more appreciation for dial a ride services

[@travelswithjess]

Thank you for uploading this on my birthday Geoff! 😀

[@jonniepotter1194]

I’d love to work on that bus route. Don’t start until 10, drive a nice quiet bus around for a bit, knock around at Asda on a 2 hour lunch break, drive home again. Sounds perfect to me.

[@norbitonflyer5625]

I'm sure his shift is longer than that. The bus (and probably the driver) appears to have been operating on the 481 in the morning peak.

[@maddisevski]

I grew up along the 969 route. I’ve still never seen or ridden one in 24 years

[@simonhorn1745]

Really enjoying the bus videos..where is Sir Roger today....oh yessssss he is here gettin...all is well with the world

[@guillaumemaurice3503]

Thank you for sharing the video Geoff that was very interesting. ❤

[@jonny8597]

Fascinating to hear about Dial a Ride. Also what an easy shift for that bus driver, 1 trip a 2 hour break and then 1 trip back!

[@henkmagnetic3103]

Geoff, with this sort of coverage, you're heading for a million.

[@kierangallagher491]

Loving the bus content, keep it coming!

[@xxstarsxx381]

Great video showcasing the Dial-a-Ride services… always wondered who uses them and how it all works… excellent work all😊

[@johnrafferty8087]

I remember riding the Mobility buses in wes and Northwest London. Used Converted Leyland Nationals. From Harrow and Cricklewood. Two person crew. Can remember all the routes but 987 was one

[@kevinbargery2261]

I remember those wheelchair ramp on the centre door black on orange blinds.

[@Lilianne8]

Thanks for these nuggets of documents as I call them. They're looking very professional 👍 I know there is a similar service in our city but obviously the scale is so different to London.

[@paulatrahern1336]

I loved this video - I had no idea about the DAR buses. Thank you for telling us. However, can we just please pause for a moment to appreciate Rogers amazing knee high boots?!

[@Alan-ln3ls]

Twice a week? Bloody luxury! In North Yorkshire we had one that ran once in each direction and only on the first Sunday of winter months. It started from Selby, passed through Harrogate, and went on to a destination that I have forgotten. I have no idea what its purpose was, but it was certainly not one you would want to miss, with a wait of a month (or possibly nine) until the next.

[@ThameslinkTravels-fh2qu]

I’ve been waiting for a video on the 969 for ages! I’m local and caught this bus a few times for fun!

[@MathewODonoghue]

In Godalming stagecoach operate 503 and 523 which stop in Sainsbury's. They are there for about an hour, the drivers sometimes do shopping while waiting.

[@highpath4776]

In the old days of local owned buses and coaches in from the village , the driver would do shopping for those that couldnt get out , and drop it off to them when they got back

[@brianbks02]

The Dial-A-Ride is absolutely fantastic! I'm gonna keep an eye out for one when I'm in London in a fortnight!

[@DC4260Productions]

That bus seen in the background at the beginning is an Enviro 200 MMC. I only know that variant because Tauranga has five examples of the battery-electric version (built in 2019), alongside several diesel E200s built between 2011 and 2014.

[@OpenbaarVervoer2D]

Okay, so you can go around London with the subway that has a station at every corner of any street, plus some ferries and a cable car, or if you are claustrofobic or have a disability you can go around London on the bus and if you are very old or are in a wheelchair with the need of assistance you can dial a bus and pay all with one card. Awesome! I hope they offer the Dial a Ride service or similar also outside of London to reach hard to reach places.

[@highpath4776]

see Roger's blog page on some Dial A Ride (general public) services. We certainly had some for older persons in Leeds in the 2000s

[@topmandog1]

love to see you come to Manchester for a few route trips seeing how awful the service is compared to london

[@paulmark63]

Geoff Look at the R10 route to knockholt not many services on this route paul in orpington

[@dazzaisleofman]

What an excellent service to the community and amazing employees of Dial A Ride

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

I remember the first Mobility Bus services, way back in 1985. I worked at Leyton Garage and we had MkII Leyland National LS 454 which worked 900 numbered routes around Waltham Forest and Newham. They did several journeys on more than one route each day back then.....

[@ronanmccann7848]

We need a new series where Roger takes Geoff on a weird bus route, and Geoff shows us a unique station it stops at. Loving this bus renaissance!

[@thestreakpodcast]

In Venice today. Riding the Vaporetti. Would make an epic Geoff and Roger series.

[@lorddarlo6194]

The Highest Numbered Bus in the UK is as far as I know in my stomping ground of the West Midlands the 997 between Walsall and Birmingham Via Aldridge, Kingstanding, Pheasey and Perry Barr it is goes the long way compared to the 51 and X51, there is the 997E that goes to Pheasey only. That might be worth an explore as Birmingham has the longest bus route in the UK in the outer circle the 11A and 11C

[@Leo-hv9mm]

In Perth Australia our 900 series are high frequency limited stop. Its a bonus living on any 900 series routes. In fact, the 950 is the busiest route in Western Australia, running between Morley and QEII medycentre in Nedlands via perth city. frequency in peak is every two minutes and off peak are from every 5 to 7 minutes. All services are operated using articulated buses. Also, Australian cities have such dial a ride services which are becoming widely accepted across the state capital cities and larger region cities (Newcastle NSW population near half a million).

[@GuyArab]

Thanks for living the buses Geoff!

[@TheTransportHub17]

Great video Geoff. Enjoying these more regular bus videos.