Accessible bus for sale | Call 516-333-7483 | 2013 Ford E350 Non-CDL Wheelchair Shuttle Bus For Sale
Channel: Major Vehicle Exchange
Date: 25/12/2021

Who invented the first wheelchair accessible bus?

Walter Harris Callow was a Canadian war veteran in WW2 who made the first wheelchair accessible bus to transport disabled veterans from their homes to the nearest medical facility. Wheelchair buses became common in the United States after the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1995. The Act aims to provide equal opportunities to those with disabilities. In order to achieve this objective special vehicles had to be designed to transport handicapped persons in a safe and professional manner. Today these vehicles are fully automated with a powerful wheelchair lift at the rear. These lifts are capable of carrying loads more than 800 lbs. With a single press of a button the lift door opens and the lift unfolds to be deployed on the ground. Then the wheelchair bound passenger is rolled onto the lift. Once the position is secured, another press on the button elevates the lift along with the wheelchair and brings it to the level of the bus floor. The wheelchair can then be rolled inside the bus and fastened with the help of automatic wheelchair retractors. These belts ensure the wheelchair stays secured in its place even during rough and bumpy ride or while applying emergency brakes. It also stays safe during reflex traffic maneuvers or while taking sharp turns.

Sometimes it happens that a transportation company may not have wheelchair bound passengers. Other times it may happen they could not get sufficient healthy passengers. Accordingly the seats have to be adjusted to accommodate both types of passengers. Thus most wheelchair equipped buses for sale have dual flip seats. To accommodate one wheelchair, two full seats have to be folded and tucked to the side walls of the bus. Thus in a 15 passenger wheelchair shuttle bus for sale, there will be 7 double flip seats. Three on the left and four on the right hand side. On average it can seat up to 2 wheelchairs. However, if the buyer believes there will be a surge in demand by wheelchair bound persons. Then even the permanent seats can be converted into fixed seats. Thus, both the normal passengers and those bound to the wheelchair get to enter the bus and reach their destination on time.

Mobility issues
Though the lift equipped bus was manufactured to ferry people with disabilities. It has been frequently used by seniors who are not bound by the wheelchair. Because in advanced stages of life people find it difficult to climb the high stairs of a motor coach. In this situation, elders tend to stand on the deployed wheelchair lift and grab hold of its iron handles. When the driver pushes the interlock button, the senior gets lifted to the level of the bus floor from where they can walk straight inside the vehicle without raising their feet. Though its not recommended to use the lift for such purposes. However, the elders with mobility issues use it more than frequently.

Driver Training
There is a huge difference between a regular passenger bus for sale and a lift equipped bus for sale. The driver has to be trained accordingly to handle the latter. The reason being, most regular drivers cannot perceive the functioning of the lift and end up crashing it with other people and objects. According to research most complaints relating to wheelchair lifts arise due to the driver not being sufficiently trained and smashing it into somebody or something.

Cost
It should also be noted that these specially equipped vehicles cost more than the average motor coach. The difference can be from $8,000 to $12,000. Obviously due to the additional electronics and equipment. However, the ownership has been simplified with the availability of easy finance. The interest rates are lower than market average and those with a bad credit history often get approved.

Major Vehicle Exchange has been selling used wheelchair buses to customers across the United States for more than 35 years. Our objective is to provide the finest quality pre owned buses in the industry. Our Premium quality vehicles are superior to those being sold directly by the owners because we thoroughly inspect and recondition more than 300 parts and components in the vehicle, making it new in appearance and performance. Customers who purchase our reconditioned buses once tend to come back again and again for fine quality transport vehicles. Thus becoming the backbone of our enterprise. We have a huge stock of more than 35 used buses for sale and every vehicle has been updated on our website. For more information about our inventory visit our website and call the owner Charles Kaufman at 516-333-7483 today!

https://www.quora.com/Who-invented-the-first-wheelchair-accessible-bus/answer/Charles-Kaufman-8

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