Do Uber and Lyft Have Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles?

Over the past several years, Uber and Lyft have grown tremendously in popularity. Millions of people utilize these companies for the convenience and reliability of their quick-response transportation services.

In order to be able to meet the needs of all customers, Uber and Lyft have been working to increase and improve their ability to also provide wheelchair accessible transportation.

Uber

Uber has launched uberWAV in several cities around the world including; Boston, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto and Washington DC.

UberWAV lets riders who use non-folding, motorized wheelchairs connect with drivers in accessible vehicles equipped with ramps or lifts. Uber has pledged a 15-minute wait time and fares equivalent with the Uber X program.

Uber also offers the Uber Assist program in many cities as well. The Uber Assist program was designed to provide additional assistance to seniors as well as people with disabilities. Uber driver-partners are trained to assist riders into vehicles and can accommodate folding wheelchairs, walkers or scooters.

“UberX has been a game changer for millions of people moving all around the world, and I’m thrilled to see Uber applying the same creative ingenuity to provide more consumer choices and opportunities….WAV will empower people requiring wheelchair-accessible vehicles to get a ride when they need one by simply pressing a button” —Tony Coelho, Co-Author, Americans with Disabilities Act.

Lyft

Lyft is also addressing the need for wheelchair accessible transportation options by adding an “Access Mode” within their app. In available markets, when the access mode is enabled, passengers can request a wheelchair accessible vehicle for their ride. In markets where these types of vehicles are not currently available, Lyft will provide information on other local wheelchair accessible transportation services to the person via text. Unfortunately, many of those other local transportation services whose information is shared by Lyft may not be able to provide “on-demand” services.

Both Uber and Lyft have publicly committed to continuing to further their efforts to service the transportation needs of people with disabilities.