A Hanover Park woman says the City’s Dial-a-Ride service for the disabled is useless as she is now forced to ride her motorised wheelchair to work every day, fearing traffic and skollies on her way.
Amina Adonis, who was born with cerebral palsy and has not walked a day in her life, says she’s been using the service since she was 16 but recently the bad treatment has upset her so much that she’s rather finding alternative ways to get around.
“I used to stay in Mitchells Plain, but for the last three years now I have been staying in Hanover Park,” she explains.
“The people at Dial-A-Ride know that and two weeks ago they fetched me for church on Sunday at my place in Hanover Park, but last week I waited for them the whole day and when I called they told me that they are waiting for me at my house in Mitchells Plain.
“They said they were calling me which was a lie because I had my phone on me all the time and when I told them that they had the wrong address they were very rude to me over the phone.”
Amina, 41, said she has not used Dial-a-Ride since then as it’s not worth cancelling her plans every time.
“To use them (Dial-a-Ride), you have to call seven days in advance and tell them where you are going, but for the last few months, every time when I call them they say that they are fully booked.
“However when you see them out on the road then you can see that the vans are empty.
“When I was pregnant last year I had to use the Golden Arrow buses to get around and I am in a wheelchair so that was not easy.
“Also I cannot use them for work so I have to ride in my wheelchair 15 minutes to work every day down the streets of Hanover Park, no matter what the weather is.”
Amina says she is also constantly in fear as she has to navigate traffic, bumpy roads and shooting skollies between her home in Hallans Walk to the Hanover Park Day Hospital where she works as an administrator.
“I have made a few complaints, but all I get are rude answers from the drivers and when I phone to complain they just get all defensive and make excuses. I do not think it is right.”
Despite various detailed emails to Dial-a-Ride this week, the Daily Voice did not receive any comment regarding Amina’ issue by yesterday.