There are a variety of very wheelchair friendly transportation options in and around San Francisco. Whether you are looking to get to or from the SFO Airport, visit wine country, our tour the fabulous Bay Area - your guaranteed an accessible, comfortable transportation experience. Below you will find the information you need to make San Francisco easily accessible.
Wheelchair Jimmy Recommended
San Francisco Taxis
Phone: (415) 333-3333
Website
Contact Information
Yellow Taxi: (415) 626-2345
Luxor Cab: (415) 282-4141
Town Taxi: (415) 546-1888
San Francisco Metro Buses
Phone: (415) 923-6142
Website
Jim's Comments:
Nearly all of Muni's diesel buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts and can "kneel" (lower the front of the bus) if you have trouble negotiating stairs. The driver makes space for wheelchairs by folding up several seats near the front of the bus, and can assist passengers a wheelchair to fasten the required safety straps or wheel lock. Wheelchair users may also transfer to a fixed seat and keep their wheelchair folded in the adjacent aisle.
The big trolley buses on the 14 Mission, 31 Balboa, and weekend 30 Stockton lines accommodate wheelchairs similar to the diesel buses. The smaller trolley buses that serve the rest of the city are not currently accessible - seek out adjacent diesel bus lines if necessary.
Muni Light Rail
Phone: (415) 923-6142
Website
Jim's Comments:
Muni's Metro light rail lines are accessible at eight subway stops between Embarcadero and West Portal stations. In outlying neighborhoods, some two dozen "key stops" have wheelchair-accessible boarding ramps (intermediate stops are not accessible). When boarding, watch the gap between the platform and the door! Wheelchair users may prefer to back on to the train and/or at a slight angle. Park in one of the opposite doorways, crosswise to the direction of travel. Muni's historic F line streetcars on Market Street are also accessible - the driver lays a bridge between the train and the wheelchair ramp to provide access to the train. Watch for the collapsing stairs.
BART
Phone: (510) 464-7134
Website
Jim's Comments:
BART provides fast, frequent rail service between San Francisco, Oakland, and outlying East Bay cities and suburbs. Opened in 1971, the trains and stations were designed to be accessible. Recent renovations have improved accessibility. Typically, elevators and escalators descend from the street level to the concourse level, and from there to the train platform. Elevators downtown are at either end of the station. As on Muni Metro, be careful crossing the gap between the platform and the train doors. Discount tickets are available for seniors and people with disabilities.
Accessible Van Rentals
Jim's Comments:
Accessible van rentals are expensive and cost $100-$150 per day plus mileage. Many charge an additional $50-$90 for delivery and pick-up services. Some rental companies will not add hand controls or provide transfer/swivel seats, preferring to rent to able bodied persons who drive persons confined to wheelchairs.
Lifestyle Mobility
114 Center Avenue. Pacheco, CA 94553
Phone: 925-686-2183
Website: www.lifestylemobility.com
Access Options (Wheelers)
1253 Birchwood Drive. Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Phone: (408) 734-5438
Website: www.wheelersvanrentals.com
Wheelchair Getaways
Phone: (800) 638-1912
Website: www.wheelchairgetaways.com
MobilityWorks of Oakland
1822 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA 94606
Phone: (510) 927-2860
Website: http://www.mobilityworks.com
