Active operating authority, $5M+ liability
Background-checked, DOT medical
Multiple bids side-by-side
Wheelchair lift on request
How the ADA Wheelchair Lift add-on works
You indicate wheelchair accommodation needs at booking including the number of wheelchair passengers, whether the chairs are power or manual, and any additional mobility devices (walkers, scooters). The dispatcher assigns the booking to a lift-equipped coach at the same base rate as the equivalent standard vehicle. At pickup the driver deploys the hydraulic lift, loads and secures each chair using 4-point tie-downs, and confirms lap-and-shoulder belt engagement before departure.
What's included
- ADA-compliant hydraulic wheelchair lift (800 to 1000 pound capacity)
- 2 to 4 wheelchair tie-down positions with 4-point restraints
- Lap-and-shoulder passenger belts
- Driver trained in lift operation and securement
- Wider aisle and priority boarding
Pricing detail
There is no add-on cost. 49 CFR 37.31 prohibits charter operators from charging more for wheelchair-accessible service than for equivalent non-accessible service. A 55-passenger ADA-equipped motorcoach costs the same as a 55-passenger standard motorcoach: 1,000 to 2,200 dollars one-way. The only pricing variable is total passenger count - each wheelchair tie-down position reduces standard seat count by 2 seats in the affected row. See the full /vehicles/ada-wheelchair-accessible-coach/ page for capacity trade-offs.
Compatible vehicle classes
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay extra for a wheelchair lift on a charter bus?
No. 49 CFR 37.31 federal ADA rule prohibits charter operators from surcharging accessible service - a lift-equipped 55-passenger motorcoach costs the exact same as a standard 55-passenger motorcoach: 1,000 to 2,200 dollars one-way. The only trade-off is capacity because each wheelchair tie-down position occupies about 2 standard seats. See /requirements/ada-charter-bus-compliance/ for the full regulation.
How many wheelchairs can a charter bus carry?
Most ADA-equipped motorcoaches carry 2 tie-down positions as standard. Some units are configured for 4 tie-downs which reduces standard seating from 55 to about 47 seats. For groups needing 5+ wheelchair positions the dispatcher can pair 2 lift-equipped coaches at the same booking or route to a purpose-built ADA paratransit vehicle.
How much advance notice does the wheelchair lift add-on require?
48 to 72 hours minimum. Only a fraction of the Florida charter bus fleet is lift-equipped so the dispatcher may need to route to a specific carrier or reposition a coach. For groups with multiple wheelchairs or short lead times book 5 to 7 days out to guarantee lift-equipped inventory.
Are power wheelchairs and scooters accommodated?
Yes - the standard lift supports up to 800 to 1000 pounds combined chair and rider weight which covers virtually every power wheelchair and mobility scooter. For unusually heavy power chairs (over 1000 pounds combined) mention model and weight at booking so the dispatcher can confirm the specific lift capacity of the assigned coach.