FAQs Archive - Wokingbustler.org.uk

Q: Why do I sometimes only see one person travelling on a dial-a-ride minibus?

Dial-a-ride is a multiple pick-up and multiple drop-off service. For this reason there may be times when only one passenger is on board. However, on other occasions there may be several people on board at the same time i.e. all passengers travelling to the same destination, shops etc.

Q: Why does WCT Bustler hold reserve funds?

WCT Bustler operates on a best practice principle, this among other considerations requires us to hold reserves to cover a six month operating period. In addition, a commercial operator is required to hold in reserve £8,000 for its first vehicle and £4,450 for every additional vehicle.

Q: Why can I not get through on the booking line?

The dial-a-ride booking line is operated by one person. The line is open 9:30 – 12:00 and 14:30 – 16:00 Monday to Friday. These times are designed to allow time for the operator to deal with voice messages and email bookings. We current have over 2,500 dial-a-ride members, and therefore the booking line can become very busy at times.

Q: Why do you not have more than one person operating the booking line?

Due to the complexities of scheduling dial-a-ride and the use of multiple vehicles in multiple locations, it is not currently possible to have more than one person amending the system at a time.

Q: Why can I not travel outside of Woking Borough on dial-a-ride?

The dial-a-ride service is run for the residents of Woking Borough and is predominately supported by Woking Borough Council (WBC), and therefore, its operating area is restricted to within the Borough. The only exception to this is transport to nearby hospitals and medical centres such as St Peter’s and the Royal Surrey. We do offer enhanced dial-a-ride for customers wishing to travel outside of the borough, but this service is not subsidised by WBC.

Q: Is there a joining or annual membership fee for dial-a-ride?

No, unlike some other borough dial-a-ride schemes, we do not charge to join or for annual membership.

Q: Why do I see Bustler vehicles travelling outside of Woking Borough?

We provide enhanced dial-a-ride for dial-a-ride members wishing to travel outside of the borough, also our vehicles are made available for community groups to use who may travel outside of the borough. We also provide a number of services for the NHS, Adult Social Services and Surrey County Council, which may require us to travel outside of Woking Borough.

Q: Do your Drivers and Passenger Assistants get paid?

The vast majority of our staff do get paid, however we also have a small number of volunteers.

Q: Why do you not use electric vehicles?

We are investing in electric vehicles, the first of which should arrive in late 2019. There are currently only two fully accessible electric vehicles available, but these vehicle are more than double the cost of a conventional vehicle.

Q: Is Woking Community Transport run by Woking Borough Council?

No, WCT Bustler is independent of the council, but it relies on the council to help fund its dial-a-ride and Centres for the community transport.

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