PBOT News Release: Commissioner Eudaly and PBOT introduce PDX WAV, a new service to provide taxi rides for people with disabilities
Portland Bureau of Transportation sent this bulletin at 02/28/2019 05:12 PM PST
![]() Transportation Commissioner Chloe Eudaly describes how important WAV service is for people, such as her son, who depend on wheelchairs. Photo by Dylan Rivera / PBOT. How it worksTo make it easy for passengers who want to take a taxi, PBOT has partnered with Ride Connection and 211 to create this central Wheel Chair Accessible Vehicle dispatch center. Instead of having to call around to different companies to try and find a ride, customers only have to call one number: 503-865-4WAV (865-4928). They can call 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, every day of the year. A friendly dispatcher will locate an accessible taxi for the customer. With that one call, the customer has access to any available taxi provider, and can request the closest available vehicle, regardless of company. Customers can also request their favorite company or driver. PDX WAV's goal is to have rides pick up customers within 30-minutes. Fares vary by company, but are required to be equivalent to non-wheelchair accessible taxi services. The program will provide cash incentives for taxi companies, Lyft and Uber to provide the rides, which are more expensive than standard rides because of the cost of accessible vehicles. Passengers who want to hail an Uber or Lyft can use each company's app. Depends on local control, innovationThe new PDX WAV service is made possible thanks to a 50-cent surcharge on Uber and Lyft rides and permit fees paid by taxi companies. Proposed state legislation (HB 3023) would eliminate the surcharge and remove the City's ability to protect local consumers and ensure equal service for people with disabilities. Commissioner Eudaly implored the companies to work with PBOT to collaborate on ways to expand service across the state without limiting the ability of Portlanders to come up with innovative solutions. Warner, the interim PBOT director, noted that the City would not be able to collect fees from Uber and Lyft to pay for service for people with disabilities. And the bill would strike down the City's rules that prohibit Uber and Lyft from charging disabled passengers higher fares during times of congestion and high demand, known in the industry as "surge pricing." Spread the word!For seniors, people with disabilities, and anyone who needs a wheelchair accessible vehicle, on demand, any time day or night, call:503-865-4WAV(503-865-4928)Learn more: PDXWAV.com![]() A driver with Radio Cab helps Nickole Cheron board a wheelchair accessible vehicle, to demonstrate how the service works, after a news conference for the announcement of the new PDX WAV service. PDX WAV will make vehicles like this one more reliable and accessible for Portlanders who depend on wheelchairs. Photo by Kailyn Lamb / PBOT.
### ![]() The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. Learn more at www.portlandoregon.gov/transportationThe City of Portland complies with all non‐discrimination, Civil Rights laws including Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II. To help ensure equal access to City programs, services and activities, the City of Portland will reasonably modify policies/procedures and provide auxiliary aids/services to persons with disabilities. Call 503-823-5185, TTY 503-823-6868 or Oregon Relay Service: 711 with such requests, or visit http://bit.ly/13EWaCg |