Is your organization in the process of selecting a wheelchair van for your organization but feeling uncertain about its seating capacity? It’s a common concern that can have a big impact on your decision-making process.
Not knowing the seating capacity of your wheelchair van can lead to risks of overloading it, movement restrictions, lower overall passenger comfort, and accessibility challenges.
Our team at MoveMobility has more than 10 years of experience manufacturing wheelchair vans. We know how important it is for your organization to know about the seating capacity before you purchase one of these vehicles. All of our vehicles are compliant with Transport Canada regulations and come with the National Safety Mark.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clearer idea about the seating capacity of wheelchair vans. Keep in mind that we’ll be using our lineup of wheelchair vans when talking about the seating capacity and that the seating capacity also depends on the size of the wheelchair and the van layout you choose. Make sure to check with your insurance agent for local regulations on wheelchair van seating capacity.
Why is it important to know the seating capacity of wheelchair vans?
If your organization will provide any type of wheelchair accessible transportation, knowing how many people the wheelchair van can fit is super important.
Here’s why:
Accommodating passengers: It helps make sure everyone who needs a ride can get one comfortably. This is especially important for folks with mobility challenges who rely on these vans to get around.
Safety comes first: Going over the seating limit isn’t safe. It can mess with how the van handles, raise the chances of accidents, and even get you into legal trouble. Knowing the seating capacity keeps everyone safe and ensures your program is following rules and regulations.
Planning made easy: When your organization knows the seating capacity of your future wheelchair van, you can make better plans for your clients’ trips. This means you won’t waste space or money, and you’ll always have the right size van for the job.
Avoiding fines: Laws about how many people can ride in a van vary. Knowing your seating capacity means you won’t accidentally break any rules and end up with fines or other regulatory headaches later down the road.
Satisfied riders: Being upfront about how many seats are available helps build trust with your passengers. They’ll know you’ve got their backs and can rely on your service.
Knowing the seating capacity of wheelchair vans is key for keeping everyone safe, planning ahead, following the rules, and keeping your passengers happy. It’s the smart way to make sure your transportation runs smoothly.
In the next section, you’ll learn about the seating capacity of the various models of wheelchair vans we manufacture at MoveMobility.
Seating capacity of the MoveMobility wheelchair van lineup
At MoveMobilty, we manufacture a wide range of wheelchair vans that your organization can use for different needs. Let’s take a closer look at the seating capacity of each one. Please note that the seating capacity of these wheelchair accessible vans depends on the size of the wheelchair and your specific van’s layout.
RAM ProMaster Series
Model |
Seating Capacity |
Wheelchair Capacity |
Description |
Up to 8 ambulatory passengers |
Up to 3 wheelchairs |
Versatile option with unobstructed doorway access. Built on the RAM ProMaster 136” Wheelbase Low Roof model, offering flexibility and customizable floor plans. |
|
Up to 10 ambulatory passengers |
Up to 3 wheelchairs |
A popular choice with side entry or rear entry ramp access. Built on the RAM ProMaster 159” Wheelbase High Roof model. This option ensures comfort and ease of use. |
|
Up to 10 ambulatory passengers |
Up to 4 wheelchairs |
Efficient option for downsizing from larger buses. Available with side entry or rear entry ramp access. Built on the RAM ProMaster 159” Wheelbase High Roof model, providing ample space and comfort. |
|
Up to 10 ambulatory passengers |
Up to 3 wheelchairs |
Dual access ramps for side and rear entry access. Built on the RAM ProMaster 159” EXT Wheelbase High Roof model, offering flexibility and convenience. |
|
Up to 10 ambulatory passengers |
Up to 3 wheelchairs |
Rear access wheelchair lift for added efficiency. Available with side entry or rear entry lift access. Built on the RAM ProMaster 159” Wheelbase High Roof model. |
|
Up to 10 ambulatory passengers |
Up to 3 wheelchairs |
Manual ramp for reliable mobility access. Available with rear entry ramp access. Built on the RAM ProMaster 159” Wheelbase High Roof model, prioritizing simplicity and practicality. |
|
Up to 8 ambulatory passengers |
Up to 1 wheelchair |
Cost-effective rear entry van conversion. Built on the RAM ProMaster 159” Wheelbase High Roof model, offering affordability and ease of use. Similar to a rear access minivan, ensuring accessibility and convenience. |
Ford Transit Series
Model |
Seating Capacity |
Wheelchair Capacity |
Description |
10-14 passengers |
4-5 |
Cost-efficient solution with bus functionality and van flexibility. Built on the Ford Transit 148” EXT Wheelbase High Roof model, providing ample space and versatility. |
|
Up to 10 passengers |
Up to 3 wheelchairs |
Rear lift conversion for wheelchair and ambulatory passenger transportation. Built on the Ford Transit chassis, ensuring comfort and accessibility. |
|
Up to 10 passengers |
Up to 3 wheelchairs |
Rear ramp conversion for flexible transportation solutions. Built on the Ford Transit chassis, prioritizing reliability and ease of use. |
Each MoveMobility wheelchair van is carefully designed to meet passengers’ unique needs. If you need ample seating, wheelchair accessibility, or a combination of both, MoveMobility has a solution tailored to you.
Refer to our guide if you need some extra help in choosing a wheelchair van.
Why is flexible seating capacity important in wheelchair vans?
Flexible seating capacity is important in wheelchair vans for several reasons.
1. Firstly, it allows wheelchair transportation providers to adapt to different passenger needs conveniently. When your organization accommodates different combinations of ambulatory passengers and wheelchair users, you can serve a wider range of individuals effectively.
2. Next, flexible seating capacity and arrangements improve accessibility and inclusivity. It ensures that wheelchair users have access to transportation services without compromising the comfort or safety of other passengers.
3. Additionally, it also provides caregivers and transportation providers with the versatility to respond to changing demands and unexpected situations on the go.
4. Lastly, flexible seating capacity promotes efficiency and cost-effectiveness in your operations. Wheelchair vans with adaptable seating configurations can:
- Optimize passenger loads
- Reduce empty seats
- Maximize revenue potential
The flexibility enables your organization to operate more efficiently while minimizing downtime. Innovative solutions like AutoFloor contribute to this flexibility by providing a customizable floor system that allows for quick and easy adjustments to seating and wheelchair configurations. It makes sure that every ride is comfortable, safe, and inclusive.
Check out the brief clip below on how easy AutoFloor makes it to adjust seating arrangements.
In addition to this video above, look at some tips below for securing a wheelchair into a van:
What seating layout is the best for you?
You made it to this article while looking for more information on the seating capacity of wheelchair vans.
We hope this article has helped you learn about how many ambulatory passengers and wheelchair passengers can fit in some of the different wheelchair vans available.
From here, we have a couple of more articles we think you’ll find informative and steer you in the right direction. For starters, check out our article on the type of license you need to drive a wheelchair van.
After that, read our article on how long it takes to get a wheelchair van. This article will give you a better idea of how long you can expect to wait to get one.
Lastly, check out our article on how to get funding for a wheelchair van. Some organizations run into roadblocks when trying to secure funding for wheelchair accessible vehicles. Reading this article could assist with that process.
If you have any additional questions on the seating capacity of wheelchair vans or want to find out which seating layout works best for your needs, why not talk to one of our helpful commercial mobility experts? Click the button below to connect with one today.