A DISABLED woman was stuck overnight in a pub after a dial-a-ride service sent cabs too small for her wheelchair.
Susan Bristow, 40, had been with cousin Gladys McCarthy, 60, celebrating Mrs McCarthy's birthday, at the Angler's Retreat in Cricketfield Road, West Drayton.
The dial-a-ride service arrived at 11pm to take Mrs Bristow back to her home in Elliott Avenue, Ruislip, sent two cabs, of which neither could fit her in. No alternative arrangements were made, and she was not taken home until 8.30am the next morning. TfL, who operate the service, apologised and blamed the mix-up on human error.
Mrs McCarthy, a credit controller from Corwell Lane, Hillingdon, said: "We had to sit overnight in a hall. the pub were very good and gave us a small electric fire, but it ruined my 60th birthday. The vehicle they sent was inadequate, twice, she is a large lady with a large power-assisted wheelchair.
"Dial-a-ride brought her from her house to the pub, so they had knowledge of which type of vehicle was required, but obviously they don't pass that kind of information on. We were so grateful to the pub and staff. they could have made us leave and it was freezing, then what would we have done?
"We even phoned the police, who suggested we phone 118, but when we did all they were interested in was taking our credit card details up front so we said forget that. "We tried all local taxi companies but we couldn't find anything suitable. The whole turned into an absolute nightmare, and we don't want it happening to anybody else."
A Transport for London spokesperson said: "We have investigated the circumstances of this incident and we apologise unreservedly to the passenger. The passenger’s personal profile did include information that she had a large wheelchair. This should have ensured that an appropriate vehicle was sent to complete her return journey.
"We have urgently investigated why this did not happen and initial indications are that this was a case of human error."
