The Wheelchair-Accessible Minibus

An accessible minibus has a lift or a ramp and fixing points in the floor for wheelchairs. The number of seats depends on the layout, because every wheelchair position takes the place of seats.

Getting the layout right

Before quoting, the operator needs three numbers: passengers who stay in their wheelchair for the journey, passengers who can transfer to a seat, and companions. Mention electric wheelchairs separately. Give the pick-up address too, since a lift needs level ground and space beside the vehicle to unfold.

Luggage room shrinks with each wheelchair place. For a holiday group with suitcases, a second vehicle for the luggage may be the simpler plan.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 16-seat minibus, exterior

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 19-seat minibus, exterior

Seats and bags

Seats: Varies by layout; wheelchair positions replace seats
Luggage: Limited; wheelchair positions reduce luggage room

On board, and the rules that apply

Lift or ramp access with wheelchair securing points
Transport exclusively of people with disabilities is outside the federal passenger-transport monopoly (Art. 8 Abs. 1 Bst. c VPB)
ARV 2 does not apply to drivers who professionally carry people with disabilities (Art. 4 Abs. 1 Bst. c ARV 2), and companions of people needing special care in vehicles of disability transport services are exempt from wearing seat belts (Art. 3a Abs. 2 Bst. f VRV)
Category D1 licence for more than eight and up to 16 seats besides the driver (Art. 3 Abs. 2 VZV)
All landing stages for the Rhine cruise ships in Basel are barrier-free; Glacier Express and Bernina Express wheelchair places and boarding help are booked in advance

Rules for disability transport

A trip that carries only people with disabilities falls outside the federal monopoly on passenger transport. Drivers whose work is carrying disabled passengers are also outside ARV 2. Anyone accompanying a passenger who needs special care may ride unbelted in these vehicles, so as to help on the way. Behind the wheel is a driver licensed for D1, the class for nine to 16 passenger seats.

Trains and ships

Every Basel landing stage used by Rhine cruise ships is barrier-free. On the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express, wheelchair places and help with boarding are booked ahead. The minibus meets the train at the station and takes the group onward by road.

Car-free resorts treat it like any other vehicle. For Zermatt it stops at Täsch, and the group continues on the shuttle train. Check access on the train with the railway before the day.

What organisers ask us

Who uses an accessible minibus?

Care homes and day centres, accessible airport and cruise transfers, and mixed groups where one or two members use a wheelchair.

Can it travel alongside a coach?

Yes. A coach for most of the group with an accessible minibus beside it keeps everyone on one programme.

Does a weekly outing need a concession?

No federal concession is needed when the vehicle carries only people with disabilities. That transport is exempt from the federal monopoly even when it repeats.