UberWAV is Uber’s on-demand private ride option in wheelchair-accessible vehicles for riders with special mobility requirements.
About UberWAV
The WAV in UberWAV stands for Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicles. As the name suggests, riders with special mobility needs such as room for motorized wheelchairs can leverage assisted riding facilities with this offering.
This product is Uber’s attempt at making ride-hailing services more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities. The ridesharing giant ensures that all UberWAV drivers are certified by a third-party institution to drive and assist individuals with mobility restrictions while ensuring adequate safety.
How to request an UberWAV?
- Visit Uber’s application
- Enter your dropoff destination in the “Where to?” tab
- Provide your pickup address as well and select “UberWAV” wherever available
- Recheck the addresses you entered and confirm your pickup
- Select your payment method beforehand to ensure a hassle-free dropoff. Uber Cash would be set as your default payment mode until you change otherwise.
Where can I avail of the UberWAV service?
The availability of this Uber product is limited to a select few cities across regions in which Uber operates. Other than cities in the U.S., UberWAV is available across certain cities in the following countries:
- Canada
- Australia
- France
- United Kingdom
- India
- Germany
- New Zealand
The quickest way to check the availability of WAV in your location is to visit the Uber mobile app and look for the WAV offering. If your city does not offer this ride option yet, it may be due to:
- The unavailability of adequately trained driver-partners
- Lack of vehicles meeting the minimum qualification requirements such as suitable equipment like a ramp
- Insufficient licenses and permissions to run the program in the city
However, Uber is constantly looking forward to expanding its offerings to newer markets.
Is it possible to book a WAV for someone other than myself, say a family member?
Yes, you can book an UberWAV for a friend or a family member. The procedure to do this is the same as booking a WAV trip for yourself.
Enter the addresses in the provided bars on the app for the passenger and select “UberWAV” from the ride options to book one. The only additional step that you will have to perform is to get in touch with your driver to let them know that they need to pick up somebody else. Also, share trip details with the passenger so they can track their ride’s location for convenience.
Can other people accompany the person with a disability on WAV rides?
Yes. An UberWAV allows 3+ passengers depending on the maximum seating capacity of the vehicle in question.
What to expect from a WAV?
Uber has a set of minimum vehicle requirements for this type of ride which includes enough room for motorized wheelchairs or scooters. Also, all WAVs need to be equipped with lifts or ramps to assist the rider get in and out of the vehicle. When booking a WAV, you can expect to ride in a spacious vehicle with enough room for a wheelchair and additional riders such as Ford E-150, Chrysler Town & Country, or Ford Transit Connect.