Bipartisan legislation will allow Ohioans in wheelchairs to use Uber, Lyft

State Rep. Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati) today applauded the committee passage of House Bill (HB) 195, her bipartisan legislation to modernize transportation options for Ohioans with mobility disabilities.

Joint-sponsored by state Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati), HB 195 was unanimously approved by the House Transportation and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday. 

“I am pleased that my colleagues on both side of the aisle agree that Ohio cannot continue to deny equal treatment of our fellow citizens who rely on wheelchairs,” said Ingram. “I strongly believe that all Ohioans should have equal access to the transportation options that best meets their needs. This legislation will undoubtedly improve the lives of Ohioans who use wheelchairs by making it easier and less costly to get to their medical appointments and other important engagements.”  

Under current Ohio law, wheelchair-bound Ohioans can only pay for ambulettes for their nonemergency transportation needs. Ambulettes, modified vehicles designed to transport ill or injured individuals, can often be costlier and more time-consuming to arrange than other modern transportation options commonly available to the general public. 

HB 195 would allow wheelchair patients to utilize whichever transportation service best meets their needs – an ambulette, traditional taxi or ride-sharing service such as Uber and Lyft. 

House Bill 195 could be considered by the full House of Representatives in the coming weeks.