Wheelchair Transportation Catch 22. Help Needed

[Justin Jett]

Looking for an affordable wheelchair accessible alternative to the Mears cab, to go from the Orlando Amtrak Station to Pop Century in October.

The Mears shuttle vans are fantastic. Mears will allow me to use the shuttle vans to go back to the train station from the hotel, but Mears refuses to send a shuttle van to pick me up at the train station. They force me to use the cabs when I arrive, but allow me to use the shuttle vans when I depart. It is a very strange policy, but that's Mears.

The excuse that they use is that the wheelchair shuttles require advance reservations because of a shortage of vans. However, they will not allow train passengers to make advance reservations for shuttles because they cannot track the trains like they can planes. Train passengers must wait to call Mears until they disembark the train. They will not send the wheelchair shuttle because reservations are required, but do not allow me to make a reservation because of the train schedule. It is a Catch 22. I have found other companies that will pick me up, but the charge $10 per mile for wheelchair pickups. I do have a shuttle reservation for the return trip home, but looking for another affordable way to arrive.

 

[pugdog]

I believe they do that because of the unreliable schedule of Amtrak. If there is any type of issue with either the train or the track Amtrak delays every thing. So if you made a reservation for a pick up and Amtrak is 4 hours late what is Mears suppose to do? Wait for you and lose money?

 

[SteveMouse]

If Mears is offering shared ride service (reservationless or on call) to folks not using mobility equipment, then they should offer comparable service to those using equipment at the same rate (eg if the shared service is $30, it should be $30 for all). If Mears sends an accessible taxi and charges you the same flat rate, that would be reasonable- they are probably not obligated to send a van. (unless there are other, substantial features of the van, eg video during the ride, then similar service would need to be provided in a taxi).

If Mears does not provide shared ride pickup service to other guests at all, they are under no obligation to provide this service to you.

That being said, you should not have to pay anything extra (other than normal cab fare) for an accessible taxi cab.

 

[Justin Jett]

I agree with everything that both of you said, I am just looking for an alternative to Mears.

"Orlando Wheelchair Transportation" quoted me $175 each way to go from Orlando Amtrak to Pop Century. That is the reason that I used the word "affordable."

I have used Mears many times. I am just wondering about other options that may be available.

 

[SteveMouse]

One thing you could do would be changes your train ticket to Kissimmee, which is 5 miles closer to Pop Century and has an accessible platform. That might lower your transpo costs a bit (cabs/private cars/private limos only @ Kisssimmee)

 

[Justin Jett]

One thing you could do would be changes your train ticket to Kissimmee, which is 5 miles closer to Pop Century and has an accessible platform. That might lower your transpo costs a bit (cabs/private cars/private limos only @ Kisssimmee)

Yes, that is a great thing to do, and I am considering doing that again if there is not a viable alternative in Orlando.

http://www.disunplugged.com/2009/12/03/amtrak-and-mears-transportation-to-disney/

I've looked at Orlando, Kissimmee, and Winter Park. I chose Orlando for this trip, because I thought there may be more transportation options in Orlando.

 

[SueM in MN]

Don't know of any other options.
I wonder if there are any public transportation buses that would get you to the TTC at MK in a reasonable amount of time. From there, you could get a bus to Pop Century.

Might not be reasonable I terms of time, even if available.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Checking the Lynx system the #40 bus is 13 minutes to Lynx Central Terminal and then the #50 bus to the TTC is 41 minutes. All Lynx buses are accessible, but there may be a problem with luggage handling.

 

[Justin Jett]

Thanks Sue and Mike,

Lynx looks like a good option. Is Sligh Blvd a safe area of town?

Also, Mike....I have some questions for you on a different topic. Would it be okay to PM you some questions?

Sue......I'll be in touch after work today.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The Orlando Regional Medical Center (including Winnie Palmer Hospital, Arnold Palmer Hospital, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and more) is less than two blocks from the Amtrak Station. I would consider it a very safe area.

And no problem for PMs.

Mike

 

[Justin Jett]

Update:

I have changed my train ticket to arrive at Winter Park.

I will take Lynk 102 and Link 50