Ambulatory vs. Wheelchair Transport: Which Do You Need?
Picking the right level of service keeps your ride comfortable and your fare accurate. Here's how to tell the difference in about a minute.
Ambulatory service
Ambulatory transportation is for riders who can walk short distances with light assistance. That includes people who use a cane, a walker or a foldable wheelchair they can transfer out of. The rider sits in a standard passenger seat; the mobility equipment travels with them.
If the rider can get from a couch to a car seat with a steady arm to lean on, ambulatory service is almost always the right call.
Wheelchair service
Wheelchair transportation uses a lift-equipped vehicle. The rider stays in their own chair for the entire trip and is secured with a four-point system plus a lap and shoulder belt. There is no transfer, which matters a great deal for riders with pain, spinal issues or limited trunk control.
Power chairs, heavy manual chairs and scooters all fall into this category.
When to ask about bariatric
If the rider's chair is wide-frame or the combined weight of rider and equipment exceeds a standard lift rating, tell dispatch when you book. Bariatric vehicles carry heavier-capacity lifts and wider securement, and we can schedule a second attendant when it makes the trip safer.