Wheelchair bus
A wheelchair bus is a vehicle that is primarily used to transport wheelchair users . The wheelchair user is driven into the bus using drive-on aids (lift or ramps) and secured to the wheelchair in the bus using belts so that they can remain in the wheelchair during the journey.
Technical implementation
The buses are often standard vans or minibuses , most of which have been retrofitted on the rear door with a fold-out ramp or a hydraulic lift to move the wheelchair into the vehicle. There are fixing points or perforated rails inside the vehicle for attaching the belt systems to secure the wheelchair user for the passage. So-called “airline rails” in the vehicle floor, which enable flexible locking of various wheelchair sizes, have proven their worth. Depending on the degree of physical disability, the wheelchair user can take a seat in a normal passenger seat as a so-called transfer from the wheelchair, even with limited walking ability, while the wheelchair - if necessary folded - is transported in the hold. Accordingly, the vehicles can often be equipped with additional passenger seats for the respective application.
These vehicles are often used by taxi and rental companies as well as bus companies that are active in the transport of the disabled. These vehicles are predominantly used in scheduled services that are not publicly accessible (Section 43 PBefG ) between facilities for the disabled, such as schools or workshops, and the places of residence of the passengers.
In local public transport , the introduction of low-floor technology means that low- floor vehicles with stepless entrances are mainly used, which can also be accessed with wheelchairs relatively easily.
Bus companies specializing in the transport of handicapped people also offer handicapped-accessible coaches for wheelchair transport. Since these buses cannot be driven on with ramps due to the underfloor trunk, the associated high passenger floor and the mostly single-leaf entrance doors, these coaches are usually provided with an additional, third door in the rear of the vehicle. This is designed as a wide, manually operated door, the lower edge of which is flush with the passenger floor inside. In order to transport the wheelchair onto the bus, a vehicle-specific lift system is required, usually in the form of a foldable and hydraulically operated lift. In the case of high-floor buses or excursion buses, a cassette lift can also be installed in the existing, double-width middle door.
The passenger seats inside the vehicle are attached to perforated rails which are then used to lock the seat belts on the wheelchairs when the seats are removed. The rows of chairs can be flexibly adapted to the demand for wheelchair / seats and can be taken out by bench, so that there is space for wheelchairs. Passengers who do not remain in wheelchairs during the journey can be transferred to the vehicle using a floating seat suspended from the ceiling in the center aisle, which is guided over a rail construction. Instead of the seat platforms that are otherwise used, the passenger floor is at ground level. The on-board toilet in these vehicles is usually designed to be handicapped accessible and is usually located in the rear of the vehicle.
Legal situation
In long-distance bus services , for which barrier-free access has been stipulated for new vehicles since 2016, some super-high- decker buses with underfloor cockpits or double-decker buses on the lower decks are provided with wider doors and wheelchair spaces. Since January 1, 2020, end-of-life vehicles must also be equipped with wheelchair spaces. Until national laws and regulations have been passed, wheelchair spaces are not yet mandatory for journeys over 250 km according to EU regulation 181/2011. The Austrian ÖBB Intercitybus , for example, uses Setra S 431 DT double-decker buses with a wide, double-leaf central door, while Postbus has used front doors with ramps.
See also
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- ↑ Regulations on accessibility for wheelchair users in local public transport and long-distance bus transport in Germany. German Bundestag, April 27, 2017, accessed on February 22, 2020 .
- ↑ Claus Bünnagel: Accessibility in bus transport is coming! In: Busmagazin, June / July 2013 edition. Kirschbaum Verlag GmbH, June 1, 2013, accessed on October 8, 2016 .
- ↑ Herbert Graf: Photo: ÖBB Intercitybus Graz. In: bus-bild.de. May 15, 2008, accessed March 11, 2014 .
- ↑ ADAC-Postbus: long-distance bus with wheelchair-accessible buses. In: Blog Mobilista.eu. October 17, 2013, accessed October 7, 2016 .