Empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives

From the Community

September 10, 2025

Jan Bonville

Someone calls a car using a smart phone — Image: iStock

Trying Accessible Rideshare Apps

progressive MS often do not — is challenges with transportation. If you are lucky enough to have a companion, partner, or friend who can transport you, that’s great. But even in those circumstances, there will always be times when you cannot rely on another person and either need or want to go out on your own.I think it is often overlooked that rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber actually do offer options for mobility-impaired riders and wheelchair users. Although they are far from perfect, many of these options are good enough and worth checking out. And the more of us with mobility impairments who get out and use them, the better these services will become." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

A big part of being able to get out and about — and, conversely, a reason why those of us with progressive MS often do not — is challenges with transportation. If you are lucky enough to have a companion, partner, or friend who can transport you, that’s great. But even in those circumstances, there will always be times when you cannot rely on another person and either need or want to go out on your own.I think it is often overlooked that rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber actually do offer options for mobility-impaired riders and wheelchair users. Although they are far from perfect, many of these options are good enough and worth checking out. And the more of us with mobility impairments who get out and use them, the better these services will become.

Lyft Accessible Vehicles

Wheelchair rides”) with some trepidation, not knowing what to expect. I downloaded the app and checked a box to indicate that I was a wheelchair user or mobility impaired and want to requested a WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicle). Then I waited, with bated breath and some butterflies!A wheelchair-accessible van did indeed show up in front of my door. The driver, although not a professional caregiver, was extremely helpful and polite. They parked as close as possible so I didn’t have far to go, then helped me get my equipment into the van and myself seated. They also helped me disembark from the vehicle. (I should note that, although I use mobility equipment, I am not paralyzed and can get up and out of my wheelchair and, if necessary, pull myself up into a vehicle.) It was a comfortable ride. Needless to say, I did it again.Over time, as I started to use Lyft Access regularly, I began to get to know the drivers, as there were only a few who operated WAVs. By the time the COVID shutdown came in March 2020, I had established a positive rapport and relationship with at least two drivers who knew me, my house, and my specific preferences and challenges. Unfortunately, I lost contact with them after the pandemic, but my experience was positive and something I’d do again." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

I started using Lyft's “Access” rides (which have since been renamed to “Wheelchair rides”) with some trepidation, not knowing what to expect. I downloaded the app and checked a box to indicate that I was a wheelchair user or mobility impaired and want to requested a WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicle). Then I waited, with bated breath and some butterflies!A wheelchair-accessible van did indeed show up in front of my door. The driver, although not a professional caregiver, was extremely helpful and polite. They parked as close as possible so I didn’t have far to go, then helped me get my equipment into the van and myself seated. They also helped me disembark from the vehicle. (I should note that, although I use mobility equipment, I am not paralyzed and can get up and out of my wheelchair and, if necessary, pull myself up into a vehicle.) It was a comfortable ride. Needless to say, I did it again.Over time, as I started to use Lyft Access regularly, I began to get to know the drivers, as there were only a few who operated WAVs. By the time the COVID shutdown came in March 2020, I had established a positive rapport and relationship with at least two drivers who knew me, my house, and my specific preferences and challenges. Unfortunately, I lost contact with them after the pandemic, but my experience was positive and something I’d do again.

Uber Accessible Vehicles

City-Specific Accessible Rideshares

Fog City Access,” specifically for people with mobility disabilities and their companions. I haven’t tried it yet but plan to soon. Unlike Uber and Lyft, Fog City Access has fixed pricing. Riders with disabilities and mobility needs get a discount, but trips are limited to downtown San Francisco. I also recently learned about a program called Tower Transit, which also offers rides to wheelchair users but is also restricted to the city.Another city where I have tried to use an accessible option is New York City, where almost all taxis are either SUVs or vans. It looks great on the surface but, the few times I’ve been in New York over the past few years, this wasn’t actually an accessible option. Most of the drivers I encountered were not too helpful and some refused to put my wheelchair in the cab. Not all drivers are rude, of course, but it seems a little silly to have WAVs without training your drivers on how to help people with wheelchairs.New York City does have a program called “Access A Ride,” which is a better fit for residents than visitors, due to its lengthy application process.In general, many major cities do offer accessible rideshare programs. If you haven’t yet, search online to see if your city or county offers a service like this." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

San Francisco, where I live, now has a rideshare program called “Fog City Access,” specifically for people with mobility disabilities and their companions. I haven’t tried it yet but plan to soon. Unlike Uber and Lyft, Fog City Access has fixed pricing. Riders with disabilities and mobility needs get a discount, but trips are limited to downtown San Francisco. I also recently learned about a program called Tower Transit, which also offers rides to wheelchair users but is also restricted to the city.Another city where I have tried to use an accessible option is New York City, where almost all taxis are either SUVs or vans. It looks great on the surface but, the few times I’ve been in New York over the past few years, this wasn’t actually an accessible option. Most of the drivers I encountered were not too helpful and some refused to put my wheelchair in the cab. Not all drivers are rude, of course, but it seems a little silly to have WAVs without training your drivers on how to help people with wheelchairs.New York City does have a program called “Access A Ride,” which is a better fit for residents than visitors, due to its lengthy application process.In general, many major cities do offer accessible rideshare programs. If you haven’t yet, search online to see if your city or county offers a service like this.

Improving Rideshare Options

as I’ve written before, I believe it is far better to try than to wonder what could have been." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

If you are fortunate enough to live in a city that does offer accessible Ubers and Lyfts, or a local ride access program, use them! We need more people with mobility disabilities to use these services. They are already few and far between. If they don’t get sufficient use, they will stop operating and will never expand, when we actually need the opposite. We need more options and more expansion into commuter suburbs and rural areas, where accessible transportation is even more limited.As it is, there are too few of us with disabilities out and about. The more of us out there, the easier it will get — not only for us riders, but also for the drivers, who become more comfortable over time with seeing us, helping us, and communicating with us.Giving up my license was hard, as it implied giving up a type of freedom. Yet, not driving does not mean becoming a prisoner in your house.Be open to using what is out there. If the ride shares in your city do not offer a WAV, use a SUV and ask for help. You may be surprised how helpful and kind people are. I can’t guarantee this will work. But, as I’ve written before, I believe it is far better to try than to wonder what could have been.

as I’ve written before, I believe it is far better to try than to wonder what could have been." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

A woman using a wheelchair poses on an outdoor path. — Jan Bonville

Jan has lived with progressive MS for over 20 years. Her experience dealing with the significant personal and professional hurdles for people with MS and disability inspired her to get into advocacy and activism. She is an ambassador and volunteer for the National MS Society, on the Mayor’s Council for Disabilities in San Francisco, and an advocate for disability rights and inclusion in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Improving Rideshare Options

as I’ve written before, I believe it is far better to try than to wonder what could have been." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

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Accessible Rideshare Apps May Be Imperfect, But They Are Worth Trying

Trying Accessible Rideshare Apps

Lyft Accessible Vehicles

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City-Specific Accessible Rideshares

Improving Rideshare Options

Improving Rideshare Options

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