TWIN sisters who have used the Dial-A-Ride disability bus service for overs 30 years have said that without it they wouldn’t feel confident leaving their homes.

The service faces a funding cut of over a third from tomorrow and the council has said it will get no money at all from 2020.

But now the people who know just what that could mean are taking the fight to the council.

Susan and Joan Rogers, now 75, were born with cerebral palsy but have never let it stop them living independent lives – they ran their own horse riding school until the 1980s.

They’re turning that determination to saving a service that has become an integral part of their lives.

Susan said: “We’ve been disabled all our lives but the only problems we’ve had are caused by able bodied people.

“They try to pick on those who they think can’t fight back – well there’s a lot to be said for people power.

“We’ve had to fight all our lives – we’re 75 and we’re still fighting now.”

The twins have been instrumental in helping to collect signatures on a petition to save Dial-A-Ride from further cuts – they’ve filled 12 pages with help from the staff at the Lanterns Café on Havelock Street where they like to stop for lunch most days.

The petition organisers are hoping to secure a debate on the cuts in front of the full council soon.

Explaining why the service is irreplaceable, Susan added: “One thing nobody has mentioned is the trust that comes with Dial-A-Ride.

“I’ve been in the situation before where I’ve taken a taxi into town and then I haven’t been able to get back, they wouldn’t take me, it was scary.

“I’ve phoned to try and book a taxi and been told they don’t want to take people in wheelchairs, it’s really upsetting, I cried.

“It took about 20 years but I eventually realised I could trust Dial-A-Ride. I know I’m safe with them, I know I’m going to get home, they really care.”

Both sisters say that even if the council was to identify an alternative provider, for less money, that would offer a door to door service, it wouldn’t be the same.

The Dial-A-Ride team, from the office staff to the drivers, have earned their trust which means more to them than any money can buy.

While Susan is in a wheelchair, Joan walks with the aid of a stick but she is only able to manage very short distances.

She said: “My foot can give way at any time, I never know when it will happen.

“I can’t use normal buses – I can’t get to the bus stops and then if I do get on they won’t wait for me to sit down they just start moving. It doesn’t matter to them.

"With Dial-A-Ride they wait, there's no rush, they make sure you're safe and strapped in.”

Barbara Ellison works at the Lanterns Café and has seen the twins’ passion first hand.

“Until they asked if we would help with the petition we didn’t realise how many of our customers used this service," she said.

“They’re two amazing, interesting women and they’re doing a lot to raise the profile of a much needed service in Swindon.”