BraunAbility ships first of new wheelchair accessible taxis to NYC

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Published: Monday, 22 December 2014 18:38

WINAMAC - The first Nissan taxis made wheelchair accessible by local manufacturer BraunAbility were delivered to New York City, Friday, Dec. 19, 

The mobility design is integrated into Nissan’s NV200, a compact cargo van already used throughout NYC as a taxi vehicle. BraunAbility makes the chassis wheelchair-accessible by providing a rear-entry ramp that folds away when not in use by a wheelchair user, allowing it to be used by disabled and non-disabled passengers. 

The accessible taxis are the first of what promises to be many shipped to New York City, where the debate over access to more accessible taxis has increased in recent years. Last December a law was passed requiring 50 percent of New York City’s taxis to be wheelchair accessible by 2020. 

Other key features of the BraunAbility Nissan Taxi include: 

• A manual fold-flat ramp that’s out-of-sight and out-of-mind until it’s needed. 
• A rear-entry ramp allowing safe entry and exit for wheelchair passengers, eliminating the need to load/unload in street traffic. 
• An integrated restraint system for safe and quick securement of wheelchairs/scooters. 
• An integrated mobility design that meets or exceeds all ADA requirements for accessibility, accommodating the widest variety of wheelchairs and wheelchair users.