Out with the old and in with the new for Wycombe charity (From Bucks Free Press)

Out with the old and in with the new for Wycombe charity

2:04pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News

IT was out with the old and in with the new for a High Wycombe charity as it welcomed two new buses to its fleet today.

Wycombe Dial-a-Ride has retired two of its aging vehicles and replaced them with these shiny new 14-seater buses to carry passengers around in style.

The five year lease from a Luton-based garage includes maintainance cover and has the backing of Transport for Buckinghamshire.

Manager Steve Reed said: “The new buses will give passengers a much more comfortable ride than in the previous two ageing 17 seater buses.”

But the old buses have served the charitable organisation, based in Lincoln Road, well down the years and took its passengers on countless trips.

Mr Reed added: “Driver Michael Carroll and I took both these buses on a day trip to Bognor Regis, taking approximately 24 people.

“We had to cram all wheelchairs, walking frames, bags and passengers in like sardines and it took us the best part of three hours to get there.

“When we were about 10 miles from Bognor, someone asked to go to the toilet, so we had to pull in and unload everything to let the passengers off.

“Then it started to rain so helpers were waiting in the queue for the toilet, along with some of the wheelchair passengers, with umbrellas, quite a sight!

“It rained for the rest of the day so we left mid afternoon and decided to go a different way back, along 'A' roads – mistake – four hours home, uncomfortable, wet, miserable, slow, but a good time was had by all.”

The organisation provides a door-to-door service for the elderly and residents with disabilities, taking them on shopping trips, trips to visit friends or family and to appointments.

Call 01494 441818 for more information.