Breaking Down Barriers: Same-Day Wheelchair Transportation is Now More Accessible Across the Bay Area

Transportation is more than just getting from point A to point B; it’s the key to independence, health, and community connection. Yet, for many wheelchair users across the Bay Area, finding a ride that is both affordable and available on short notice has been a significant challenge.

For too long, the spontaneity of modern life has been out of reach for those who require specialized vehicles, often forced to navigate a maze of paperwork or book trips days in advance. Earlier this year, we received a $1.9 million Access for All (AFA) grant from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to change that.

With these funds, we are drastically lowering the barriers to mobility by subsidizing same-day Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle (WAV) trips across four major Bay Area counties, including Alameda, Santa Clara, Marin, and San Mateo. 

The Key Word is "Same-Day"

In the world of paratransit and specialized transport, the ability to travel on your own terms is a game-changer. Traditional services often require booking windows that don't account for the realities of daily life, leaving riders stranded if an unexpected doctor’s appointment pops up or if they simply want to meet a friend for coffee on short notice.

By leveraging our deep network of WAV providers across the bay area, we’re attempting to change that story. Eligible riders in Alameda, Santa Clara, Marin, and San Mateo counties can now access same-day rides starting at just $6. For context, that’s a fraction of the typical cost of private WAV transport intended to insure that a rider’s mobility isn't limited by their bank account. 

Reliability by Program Design

While this funding is new to us, our service in the Bay Area is not. This program isn't just a pilot, it’s a massive expansion of a proven infrastructure supported by Onward’s robust network of WAV providers. In 2025 (Pre-AFA funding), Onward completed over 14,000 WAV trips, proving that we have the experience to handle the volume of trips requested by Bay Area riders.

Outside of AFA Funds, Onward serves ~75% of the region’s health systems, most local PACE programs, Marin Transit and The City of Hayward’s HOP Program. These partnerships have helped Onward build a reliable network of compliant WAV operators in the region that can realistically support same-day WAV trips. 

At our core, we’re about finding the right level of transport for the right person at the right time ~ a mantra that’s earned us a 4.9 star rating amongst riders across all levels of transport. 

As we expand our services to support AFA riders, we realize that for many WAV riders (especially older adults), aren’t interested in downloading another app or remembering another password. For this reason, our AFA riders will use Onward’s proprietary Text2Book technology. This SMS technology allows us to meet riders where they’re at, offering a native experience to riders who may not be as technologically savvy. 

So how do riders schedule trips?

Booking a ride is as simple as sending a text message. There are no passwords to recover and no apps to download. You simply text your trip details to a county-specific number listed on our website, verify your identity with your date of birth, and you're set.

From there, we keep you in the loop. You’ll receive automated notifications at every step of the journey, including driver details and vehicle information as soon as a driver is assigned. 

This service builds on our successful partnership with the City of Hayward’s HOP Program, where over 72% of paratransit riders adopted the service in less than two months because of its simplicity. It’s the convenience of modern ridesharing with the personalized touch and safety that our Bay Area community deserves.

Getting Started

We’ve made the enrollment process as quick and painless as possible because we know your time is valuable.

1. Visit our Program Page: Head over to our website to view the full details and requirements.

2. Fill Out the Form: Complete a short online enrollment form to verify your eligibility as a wheelchair user or someone who requires a lift or ramp to enter a vehicle.

3. Receive Confirmation: Once you submit your information, the Onward team will reach out within two business days to help you finish your account setup and answer any questions you might have about using Text2Book.

4. Start Booking Trips: Once you’re confirmed, you can start booking WAV trips as you see fit.
   

Trips will be available until funding for the applicable county runs out. Additional program rules can be found in the FAQ section. 

At Onward, our mission is to nurture community health one ride, one visit, and one connection at a time. We believe that everyone deserves to reach their destination comfortably and with dignity. The Access for All grant is a massive step forward as we make the Bay Area a more inclusive place to live.

If you or a loved one has questions or needs assistance with the enrollment process, don't hesitate to reach out to our team. We can’t wait to see you on the road.