Choosing the right commercial mobility van can be a tough decision. There are many things to consider to make sure the van you purchase is right for your organization. You need to understand your riders’ mobility needs, what type of wheelchairs you may transport, set a budget, and consider how soon you need the van. Read these six tips on how to choose the right commercial mobility van.
Understand mobility rider needs
In order to know what commercial mobility van you need, you need to know what your rider’s mobility needs are. A rider’s mobility needs may include using a wheelchair, walker, cane, or simply needing something to hold onto while entering the van.
You may need to identify the issues you have with your current wheelchair vans, to make sure your new van serves your riders’ needs better.
If your riders use wheelchairs, walkers, or canes, you will need a commercial mobility van that makes it easy to wheel wheelchairs up a ramp. You’ll also need to know how many people will be riding in the van at one time. Once you know this information, it becomes a lot easier to figure out what type of vehicle and floor plan is needed to accommodate the needs of your transportation program.
Know what wheelchairs you will transport
Not all commercial mobility vans make it easy for wheelchair users to enter. If someone is using a large wheelchair, it may not fit on the ramp or lift. For this reason, you should consider a wheelchair-accessible van that allows for any type of wheelchair, such as the MoveMobility P4.
To make sure the commercial mobility van you choose suits the wheelchairs you will transport, it’s a good idea to measure the width of the chairs. Most wheelchair ramps and lifts are around 34 inches wide.
If the wheelchair users you will transport will have a caregiver or need assistance, you will require flexible seating. Flexible seating allows you to change seat layouts on the go so that the rider’s caregiver can sit close enough to the passenger. You can achieve flexible seating and wheelchair positions with AutoFloor.
Side entry vs. rear entry
‘Rear entry’ or ‘side entry’ refers to where wheelchair users and mobility passengers would enter the vehicle from. Determining where your passengers will enter from involves considering different scenarios.
If the vehicle needs to be parked in a narrow driveway or in parking lots without accessible spaces, a rear entry wheelchair van is recommended. This is because there is no additional space needed at the side of the vehicle to accommodate an accessible ramp.
If your organization transports ambulatory passengers who have difficulty using steps or running boards to enter and exit a vehicle, a side entry accessible van is recommended. MoveMobility’s P Series vehicles (P3, P4, P5) have barrier-free access with a side entry ramp. Passengers with walkers, canes, or wheelchairs can easily board the vehicle.
It’s recommended to contact a mobility expert to help you determine whether a side entry or rear entry full-size van is right for your program.
Commercial mobility van costs
Due to the extensive conversion and customizations of a commercial wheelchair van, most people research what a wheelchair van costs. Before buying a wheelchair van, find out what affects the cost of a wheelchair van and how much you should expect to budget.
Wheelchair-accessible van prices are not created equal and can depend on the number of people and wheelchairs you are transporting. Your budget may dictate whether you should search for a new or pre-owned/used wheelchair van.
You should also budget for the running costs for each year you will be using the wheelchair van. This includes things like fuel, maintenance, insurance, and so on. Just like running your own vehicle, these things need to be calculated into any type of funding budget used to run a commercial mobility van.
Consider timeline
Some wheelchair van manufacturers keep mobility vans in stock, but others require time to convert and customize the van to your requirements. Check with the wheelchair van manufacturer on what the lead time is to build the commercial mobility van that you need. A special order mobility van may take weeks to months to build, but you will get a van that serves your riders for years to come.
Used vs. new Commercial Mobility Van maintenance costs
When choosing the right commercial mobility van, maintenance and operating costs are important considerations. In general, new vans with fewer modifications require less maintenance. Used or pre-owned vans may require frequent service if the mileage is high.
Large cutaway buses have high maintenance costs as they are heavy duty and are known for breaking down in winter. However, full-size mobility vans like the Ram Promaster or Ford Transit are more reliable and can save you money on maintenance and repair costs.
The majority of organizations purchase new commercial mobility vans because they come with a factory warranty and almost no mileage. Most new vans come with a 3-year/60,000 KM warranty.
Choosing the Right Commercial Mobility Van
In conclusion, if you are wondering how to choose the right commercial mobility van, you’ll need to consider the six factors above. Understanding the cost of wheelchair vans will help you decide whether to look for a new or used van. The decision between side and rear entry vans impacts how you service your riders, so be sure to consider all passengers and mobility devices when choosing a van.
