Recommendations for accessible vehicle hire in the Rushmoor south region?

The_Walker

Hi, I am trying to sort out a hire vehicle over Xmas to transport my wheelchair-bound mother around for a week or so. The regular websites don't seem to mention this option.

Do you use a hire company? Can you recommend one?

Thanks

Savvy_Sue

Can mum transfer to the car and back, or are you after one you can wheel the chair into?

We did enquire, before we discovered banana boards for transfer and MiL gained enough strength to use one - but it was hugely expensive.

And it was pointed out to us that 'proper' taxis can accommodate a wheelchair. We could have made multiple taxi journeys each day to get anywhere near the quote we had.

I can't remember who we found, but a Google for wheelchair accessible hire cars gave me useful results just now, including Enterprise, who will bring the car to you, I believe. 

Bear in mind - you probably realise but just in case - your mum may have limits on how long she's comfortable for, especially if facing backwards and being bounced around on less than perfect roads. That was another argument in favour of using taxis: we'd be very limited in terms of journey times anyway, so taxis would do the job, even on Christmas Day rates!

The_Walker

Hmm thanks that's food for thought. 

I was thinking it will be a necessity over xmas because local wheelchair taxis are not available on the weekends, and seem to be difficult to book. I don't have much faith I can get one for xmas day for example. So I need something I can rely on to avoid massive disappointment.

I hadn't thought about black taxis though. So you're saying they can all accomodate a wheelchair? I know they are very expensive, but as you say, a few trips in one would still be less than the cost of a hire vehicle I suppose.

My mum can't leave the wheelchair unfortunately, and it's too painful to even move her about a bit in the chair. So I have to wheel her into a vehicle. I've never heard of banana boards? I am quite new to all this though so it's a learning curve!

I suppose it would be nice to have a vehicle available for a week because it gives some freedom and reliability I guess. But yes cost is definitely a worry.

born_again

You could try these. Not a recommendation. 

https://www.alliedmobility.com/wheelchair-accessible-vehicle-hire

Albermarle

born_again said:

You could try these. Not a recommendation. 

https://www.alliedmobility.com/wheelchair-accessible-vehicle-hire

Allied Mobility are one of the biggest suppliers of WAV's in the UK. They are based in Glasgow. They serve the UK, but I guess there maybe a delivery/pick up charge if you live far away from Scotland.

Otherwise I think most taxi firms have at least one wheelchair accessible taxi on their fleet, even small local ones.

Savvy_Sue

I agree that booking a taxi for Christmas Day will be expensive and there will always be a worry as to whether it will turn up, but that is where I'd start. 

The banana board was a revelation! At first MiL was being hoisted, but working with the home's physio, she re-learnt how to stand with a frame. We had a few very dicey transfers using the frame, so were about to give up and go back to taxis. Google how it works, but of course it may not be possible for your mum: we were fortunate that mum regained alertness and improved upper body strength. 

It's possible the home will have recommendations for taxis. Mum's did: he'd usually wait nearby and be there whenever we wanted to leave. But he was pricey, and then we did try just phoning local companies. Only got let down once, and it wasn't disastrous, but once is enough!

In the event, first Christmas in the home, we were able to take over one of the lounges for afternoon mince pies and a tipple. Rather than taxi-ing mum to us, we all went to her on Christmas afternoon. Worked as well as anything that year.

The_Walker

Thanks guys, I've contacted Allied Mobility. My mother is in a little too much pain for the banana board, but interesting to see what it is! I've looked into black taxis also, but I couldn't book them for the short trip from the home to our house. Not so far anyway.