TRANSPORT services for hundreds of elderly and disabled residents in Redbridge were left badly disrupted when Dial-a-Ride drivers went on strike over “unacceptable” changes to their working conditions.

More than 110 staff at the organisation’s main north east London depot in South Woodford held a 24-hour stoppage on Friday (May 22) after union officials failed to reach agreement with Transport for London (TfL) over a range of new disciplinary procedures.

The walkout left some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents without a lift to a range of social activities - with many others suffering major changes to their normal service.

Users of the service could face further strike misery during the summer unless staff and management can reach agreement over the changes.

Unite union representative Charlie McPherson - who helped organise the walkout - accused TfL of underestimating the anger of staff at the depot, in Roding Lane North, and of failing to provide adequate alternative transport for service users on the day.

He said: “TfL obviously thought we were full of hot air, because they didn’t put on a decent replacement service for when we walked out. This caused a lot of stress and problems for a lot of vulnerable people.

"We walked out because the changes they imposed were totally unacceptable.

“They claim to have managed to keep services at about 90 per cent capacity during the day of the strike, but we have been told that this wasn’t in fact the case.

“Either way that means a lot of people were left without transport.

“They hired in cabs and we’ve been told they paid the drivers 25 quid a head, which must have cost them a fortune.

“Service users have said they and a lot of people were dropped off but then not picked up afterwards, which is totally unacceptable.

“We are very conscientious about our users, and these hired in drivers don’t have the same care for their needs.”

The father-of-two, who has worked for Dial-a-Ride for more than 13 years, said more strikes were possible in the near future if the union fails to reach agreement with TfL.

TfL spokesman Mike Weston, said: “The claims by this small minority of Unite members are groundless.

"Unite was striking about common sense policies, including drug and alcohol testing, which have been working well in other parts of Transport for London for more than a year.

“We worked hard to make sure we had special arrangements in place so that customers with essential bookings were able to make their journeys.

"Thanks to all those drivers who did report for work on Friday, and to the rest of the DaR team.

"I would like to thank all those who helped achieve this in challenging circumstances."

If you or a member of your family were affected by this disruption, please call the Guardian on 8498 3461.