Wheelchair Shuttle Services
Wheelchair shuttle services are designed to help people with disabilities and wheelchairs get around town and to and from their medical appointments. They use special vehicles that are compliant with ADA standards and are comfortable for passengers. They are also staffed by drivers who are experienced in driving patients in wheelchairs and cautiously.
Some of these services also offer medical support onboard, including a wheelchair ramp or lift. You can choose one that best suits your needs, whether it’s for a simple trip or an extensive journey.
Generally, these services provide transportation from home to the doctor’s office or the hospital. They can also take you to other places, like shopping or social events.
Many of these wheelchair shuttles are also accessible to passengers paratransit bus parts in regular wheelchairs or scooters. They also provide a wheelchair ramp that can be used in case your chair is too large to fit in the trunk of your vehicle.
This service is available at most airports and on a variety of smaller planes, such as commuter and regional jets. Make sure you’re able to fit your wheelchair in the cargo hold by contacting the airline ahead of time and providing them with clear assembly and disassembly instructions.
In addition, most of these shuttles are wheelchair-accessible, meaning that they have a seat that’s specifically designated for a wheelchair, and a ramp that can be activated when you need to exit the bus. This can be a huge help, especially on long trips that aren’t accessible to wheelchairs.
Wheelchair-accessible buses are designed for easy boarding and disembarking, with special areas at the front of the bus and a manual boarding ramp that can be pushed down by a staff member. In addition, all buses have wheelchair-accessible restrooms.
During the trip, these vehicles are equipped with safety equipment that includes 4-point wheelchair securement straps and a 3-point lap shoulder belt. Using these safety systems is not required by the ADA, but they are often included in a shuttle’s overall plan.
Another important aspect of these shuttles is that they are often equipped with automatic boarding devices that allow for a wheelchair to be easily and safely stowed before the shuttle starts moving. This makes it easier for the shuttle driver to open up the door without disturbing passengers who are already inside.
Some of these shuttles are even fitted with wheelchair stations that flip up at the front of the bus to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs. Each station is fitted with retractable straps for 4-point wheelchair securement, as well as a wall-mounted 3-point lap shoulder belt.
These shuttles can be helpful for people with disabilities who need to travel on a short trip, but they’re not always the best option for longer journeys. These shuttles are also not usually as affordable as other options. If you’re looking for a cheap, safe, and reliable way to get from point A to point B, a wheelchair shuttle is an excellent choice.