“List of wheelchair accessible taxis in India”

Going out on the roads or using public transport is not exactly a cakewalk for wheelchair users in India. The roads can be considered equivalent to an obstacle course marked with potholes even surfaces, superfluous traffic of two-wheelers and four-wheelers, footpaths are non-existent or mostly occupied by small vendors and so on. The concept of having ramps is alien to our public buses and trains. Metros, that run in a handful of cities, are the only exceptions.

Privileged wheelchair users can modify their personal cars with a ramp and the not so privileged can wait for the actual rollout of Accessible India campaign. Most of us not satisfied any of the above two options make do with our own jugaads to go around.

Thankfully, there is another option of hiring a wheelchair accessible taxi in some cities of India.

Below are the details of wheelchair accessible taxis available in:

Delhi (2), Bangalore (3), Chennai (1), Goa (2), Coimbatore (1), Nagpur (1), Chandigarh (1) and Ahmedabad (1).

*Updated on February 2022.

I have written a separate blog about the ones available in Mumbai. It features Ezy Mov, Samartha Travels, Mobicab and Access 4 All.

Ezy Mov, Delhi

Ezy Mov has the largest fleet of wheelchair accessible taxis running in Mumbai. As a pilot, they have got one of their taxis to Delhi. Since there is only one taxi it’s best to book as much in advance as possible.

Costs: Currently running under the 4 hr & 8 hr model for Rs 2,000 & Rs 4,000 respectively

How to book: Call Ezy Mov – Contact Centre at +91 90290 90880 

Delhi taxi collage

Also read: “Taj Mahal on my wheelchair”

Make life happen, Delhi/ NCR

This is a personal taxi that is available for hire if you want to move around Delhi.

Cost: Their minimum charge is Rs 1500 for 5 hours, up to 25 km
Waiting charge – Rs.150/ hr( after 5 hrs)
Extra per Km : Rs. 25
The km reading is from and to their head office in Faridabad.

How to book: Call +91-981031 0278

Kickstart, Bangalore

Their fleet of modified cars includes a Toyota Etios Liva with a front seat that swivels out and Maruti Suzuki Wagon R with a ramp.

Cost: Hire the taxi for a day i.e. 8 hrs, 80 kms for Rs 3000, thereafter it’s Rs 20 per extra km, Rs 200 per extra hour.

They have multiple packages ranging from office pickup and drop to airport transfers to long/ outstation travel and so on. A detailed breakup of their costs is available on their website here.

How to book: Call +91-8105600445 or +91-80-32327777, email info@kickstartcabs.com

Website: http://www.kickstartcabs.com/

Check out this introduction video of their taxis suitable for disabled & elderly passengers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok6mYpR1BSg

Uber Access, Bangalore – my favourite

If you are a regular user Uber Access will come across as the most cost-effective. It is not possible to hire their taxi for the entire day, but like the regular Uber-taxis can be hired to go from point A to point B. They have an existing fleet of 30 ‘Tata Winger’ taxis and plan to scale it to 45 in the city. Their drivers are hand-picked, ones who have been rated 4 stars and above.

Cost: They charge between Rs 25 – 30 per km.

How to book: Open the Uber app on your Android or iOS smartphone and select Access in the type of ride.

Uber App
Uber App

Mobility India, Bangalore

They have two vehicles specifically remodeled to suit the needs of people with disabilities and senior citizens. Wheelchairs can easily go straight into the vehicles, with the help of a manual-foldable ramp.

Costs: Their minimum charge is Rs 400 for up to 20 kms, thereafter it’s Rs 20 per extra km.

How to book: Call +91-80-26494444 / +91-80-26597337 or email e-mail@mobility-india.org

Website: http://mobility-india.org/programmes/education/taxi-for-wheel-chair-users/

**Although Mobility India website ranks high in Google search, my experience with booking a taxi has been bad. I have never got a response to emails. Most of the time nobody picks up the phone. Even if someone does pick up they don’t give any clarity on booking the taxi. It is extremely painful to speak with them. I have never been able to book a cab with them.

Get going by Vidyasagar, Chennai

Get Going has two wheelchair accessible vans with hydraulic lift, therefore a person does not need to be transferred to the seat of the vehicle. The two vehicles are fitted with restraints for three wheelchairs and can seat another four people. It is also possible to add more seating if there are less wheelchair users.

Cost: Short trips (within city limits) => Rs 25 per KM, & Outside the city => Rs 15 per KM.

How to book: Call Abhishek at 94443 98182.

Here’s a video of accessible taxi by Get going:

Freedom Cab, Goa

Freedom Cab is Goa’s first and only wheelchair accessible taxi service. They have modified a Maruti Ecco with a ramp so that a wheelchair can enter the taxi from the side. The taxi can accommodate 4 people in addition to the wheelchair user.

Costs: Hire the taxi for a day i.e. 8 hrs, 80 kms for Rs 2000.

Their rates are negotiable. If you want to use the taxi for less duration, the cost will be reduced.

How to book: Call Sainath on +91-9637895808

Website: They don’t have a website, but you can visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FreedomCab/  

Freedom Cab, Goa

Freedom Cab, Goa

Check out the interior of Freedom Cab’s wheelchair accessible taxi in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqvOIPsLISs

Ezy Mov, Goa

You must have heard of Ezy Mov from Mumbai, they have probably one of the largest fleets of wheelchair accessible taxis. In Goa, they have one taxi which can be booked.

Costs: Base fare of Rs 1500 for a day

How to book: Call +91-9029090880

Website: http://www.ezymov.com/

Sarathi, Coimbatore

The wheelchair accessible taxi service ‘Sarathi’ is an initiative of the Swarga Foundation. It provides a safe, convenient and reliable commute for any individual with a mobility impairment or senior citizens to any location of choice within and outside the city.

The interiors of the van have been redesigned to accommodate one wheelchair, two independent seats, a 6” x 2” long sofa bed and a chemical toilet with a swivel seat. The driver has been trained and sensitized to assist wheelchair users. The wheelchair is pushed up a foldable ramp placed in the rear of the vehicle. SARATHI currently has one van in service and is available 7 days a week.

Costs: Hire the taxi for a day i.e. 8 hrs, 80 kms for Rs 3000, thereafter it’s Rs 20 per extra km, Rs 200 per extra hour.

How to book: Call +91-8870955111 or +91-7397700482 between 7am and 10pm.

Website: http://www.swargafoundation.org/sarathi-mobility-redefined/

Check out this video of their taxi…

Wheelchair Taxi, Nagpur

There is no commercial service available in Nagpur. However, I found out that a fellow PWD in Nagpur offers his car to people who need accessible transportation. Advance booking is a must as the driver is booked against call. So excited that I can move around the city in a Wheelchair Taxi.

Costs: Driver charge Rs 150 per hour, Petrol charges Rs 100 per 13 km of travel from origin.

How to book: Call +91 91672 08570 to check availability and book.

Buddy Cabs, Chandigarh

This is probably the only wheelchair accessible taxi that you can find in the Chandigarh Tricity area. They have one Tata Winger which is equipped with a hydraulic lift. Make sure to call them enough in advance, because they are usually booked. They also have two cars with a Rotary seat i.e. the seat in the front, next to the driver’s seat, rotates and comes out of the car so that a passenger can shift comfortably.

Cost: For local travel it will cost Rs. 1500 for 15 km, 2 hours. Thereafter it will be Rs.150 for every extra hour.

For interstate travel, they charge Rs.22 per kilometre that starts and ends in their office.

 How to book: Call one of these numbers to make a reservation +91 8725002566, 7838331166, 7710314444.Or send an email to sartaj@buddy-cabs.com, info@buddy-cabs.com

Website: https://www.buddy-cabs.com/

Buddy Cabs Chandigarh

Buddy Cabs, Chandigarh

Ability on Wheels, Ahmedabad

Ability on Wheels is most popularly known for their driving school for people with disabilities – using customized cars. In addition, they have launched a wheelchair-accessible cab service in Ahmedabad which is also available if you want to take the cab out of the station. Their two cars, a customised Renalut Lodgy and a Maruti Wagon R which can accommodate a wheelchair user and two and one passenger respectively.

Costs: There are multiple options to hire the Lodgy taxi (& Wagon R), 2 hours, 20 kms for Rs 600 (Rs 400); 4 hours, 40 kms for Rs 1200 (Rs 880); 6 hours, 60 kms for Rs 1800 (Rs 1560); 8 hrs, 80 kms for Rs 2400 (Rs 2040), thereafter it’s Rs 15 (Rs 12) per extra km, Rs 150 (Rs 120) per extra hour.

How to book: Call +91-9825033859 or +91-9429633859 to check availiability and book.

Website: http://www.abilityonwheels.org/accessible-cab-services/

Check out this video of their taxi…

Always check on the following before booking a wheelchair accessible taxi:

  • The height of the car: It should be high enough to accommodate you sitting on the wheelchair.
  • The number of people it can accommodate: It’s always more fun when there is company 🙂
  • The latest fares: Sometimes the taxi cost can change due to factors such as fluctuating petrol and diesel prices.
  • Always give a clear brief when booking. Include your name, contact number, date, pickup and drop-off address, the number of people accompanying you and whether any waiting will be required.

Hope the above information on wheelchair accessible taxis in India is useful. Drop in a comment if you have any queries. Also, if you come across any more taxi providers then let me know. I’ll be happy to include them in the list.

Happy travels 🙂