Taxi
operators looking for a fuel-efficient wheelchair-accessible vehicle
have a new solution
Ford Transit Connect customized by MobilityWorks
Commercial.
- The first wheelchair-accessible Ford Transit Connect Taxi has entered service in New York City
- Transit Connect offers an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant rear entry option for taxi companies, clinics, nursing homes and any other business that transports wheelchair passengers
- The wheelchair-accessibility solution by MobilityWorks Commercial quickly converts Transit Connect Taxi between conventional operation and barrier-free accessibility
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 15, 2012 – Taxi
operators looking for a fuel-efficient wheelchair-accessible vehicle
have a new solution – Ford Transit Connect customized by MobilityWorks
Commercial.
MobilityWorks
Commercial is a national commercial van upfitter specializing in
customizing vehicles for handicap access. A Ford Qualified Vehicle
Modifier, MobilityWorks Commercial recently completed and deployed the
first Ford Transit Connect mobility vehicle as a New York City Taxi.
Since its introduction in 2010, Ford Transit Connect Taxi has entered service in major metropolitan areas from coast to coast.
“The
strong taxi fleet sales we’ve seen for Transit Connect are proof that
taxi operators are recognizing the Transit Connect for its roominess,
comfort and durability,” said Len Deluca, Ford’s North American director
of commercial vehicles. “A logical next step was to offer a mobility
solution for taxi operators looking to comfortably and efficiently serve
persons with disabilities.”
The
initial Transit Connect mobility taxi was purchased and put into
service by Brooklyn-based McGuinness Management, which operates nearly
50 traditional cabs in Manhattan.
“I
drove it personally and found it to be a lot more comfortable than any
other taxi I’ve ever driven,” said Chris Harisopoulos, general manager,
McGuinness Management. “The roominess is great thing about this vehicle
for both passengers and drivers… It’s just a great taxi.”
The
Transit Connect mobility taxi offers a number of benefits for the
ambulatory and persons with disabilities, such as a rear wheelchair ramp
to keep passengers out of passing traffic lanes and a short, lowered
ramp to speed up entry and exit.
The
exclusive FlexFlat ramp, a strong yet lightweight manual ramp, is fast
and easy to deploy. When stowed it creates a useable deck for cargo –
adding convenience for drivers and passengers alike.
“The Transit Connect
mobility taxi offers drivers and passengers something you can’t find in
other accessible vehicles, including safety for all passengers,
economical operating costs, ease of use and comfort,” said Taylor Clark,
president, commercial operations, MobilityWorks.
Before
mobility upfit, Transit Connect Taxi offers an outstanding interior
package for people and cargo. With its open architecture, the taxi
provides excellent interior headroom and passenger visibility.
The
taxi model’s rear seat has been moved back three inches to maximize
passenger comfort. With 6.5 inches of ground clearance, passengers can
step easily through the dual sliding side doors. Additional climate
control ventilation has been added for rear seat passenger comfort.
For its payload capacity, Transit Connect delivers unmatched fuel economy of 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for wagon models.
“We
continue to see exceptional sales for the Transit Connect since its
North American launch in 2009,” said Kevin Koswick, Ford’s North
American director of fleet, lease and remarketing operations. “The
forthcoming introduction of the all-new Transit Connect in 2014 will
further expand Ford’s leadership in this segment, offering fleet owners,
taxi operators, drivers and passengers additional improvements,
refinements and choices.”
# # #
About MobilityWorks
MobilityWorks Commercial is
the leading builder of wheelchair accessible vans, minivans, taxis and
shuttles in America. MobilityWorks Commercial is a Ford Qualified
Vehicle Modifier (QVM), has pool status with Ford, and is Ford’s largest
mobility bailment pool with E-Series and Transit Connect units in stock
to provide the fastest lead times in the industry. Every vehicle
available is compliant with FMVSS, OEM & ADA standards, including
crash testing and seat pull testing. More information can be found at www.MobilityWorksCommercial.com.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 168,000 employees and about 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 168,000 employees and about 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.
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