Here's what our passengers think of the service - and what our drivers get out of it.
Clients... “Wow!!! We feel like we've won the lottery!!! Discovering Esher & Claygate Car Service has thrown a lifeline to our family.
We have a non verbal autistic child and 2 other teenagers. My wife suffers from secondary progressive MS. I was the driver of the family but have had to surrender my licence as, after a recent stroke I have also been diagnosed with epilepsy. We obviously have to go to a lot of medical appointments and Esher & Claygate Car Service makes this easy and possible and, as we are both unable to work, it is also exceptionally good value.
Every driver we've had has been without fail extremely friendly, helpful and very capable. It's very reassuring to find that such care and consideration is available in our community. Just wonderful!!" - Mr B, Esher
“The Esher & Claygate Car Service is a godsend for getting to the dentist and doctor. I think the drivers are delightful. They are all sociable and all helpful. We have lovely conversations and you certainly don’t sit there like a stuffed dummy! I met one of the drivers in church and we said hello. There was another lady who told me all about what she was doing.
My only comment on what to improve is that they should charge more! It’s £10 each way for a taxi and only £3 with the Car Service for the whole trip to go to the local surgery.
I heard about the service when I was ringing for a taxi at the doctor’s. The secretary overheard me and told me about the Car Service. I can’t drive myself around anymore. I use the non-emergency ambulance service to go to Kingston hospital when I need to. The ambulance service is wonderful and free, but you have to be ready an hour and half before your appointment.
I would praise the car service 100%! I think it’s a wonderful service. People in Esher and Claygate are very lucky to have a service like this.” - Mrs B, West End, Esher
“This is a marvellous service! I’d been driving myself until December 2015 but now I can’t drive any more, so my wife and I use Esher & Claygate Car Service for doctor’s appointments quite frequently.
We were very impressed with a driver the other day. He took us to the hospital but there was nowhere to park. He literally drove around for an hour to wait for us then he was right outside, waiting for us when we came out.
If it wasn’t for Esher & Claygate Car service we’d have to take taxis and that would be a minimum of £6 each way.
The drivers are very nice people. They are very careful drivers, always prompt, leave plenty of time to collect you. My only complaint is that we don’t pay them enough!” - Mr H, Claygate
“I think it’s a wonderful service. I need it to take me to the doctor's regularly. All the drivers are lovely. Without the service I’d have to get a taxi. I can drive my mobility scooter but I don’t like it in bad weather and over the traffic lights. I used to walk but I can’t now. It’s no fun living alone really so it’s nice to have a chat in the car.” - Mrs R, Claygate
And from our drivers... “I retired from a full time position in business four years ago. I planned to spend more time doing the things I always wanted to do but didn’t previously have the time – travelling, bridge, gardening, taking up golf and, with grandchildren appearing at an alarming rate, ‘spending more time with the family’.
I also thought I should do something to help other people and decided to join the Esher & Claygate Car Service as a volunteer driver. It isn’t onerous and I enjoy talking to and helping people who use the service. It is not just driving, it is a more encompassing involvement. Most of the clients are interesting and love chatting, and all are grateful. It is one of the most rewarding things I have done in years." - Roy