Travel where everyone in the group comes along

Tell us about each traveller

The more you share, the better the match. How many people use wheelchairs? Will they stay in the chair or move to a seat? Are any chairs powered? Are walking frames, scooters or carers coming along? Each wheelchair position uses space that several seats would otherwise fill, and it eats into luggage room, so the total matters.

Accessible minibuses typically have 10 to 16 seats plus wheelchair spaces. One Sprinter layout has 10 passenger seats, the driver's seat and room for one wheelchair.

Just the two of you

If one wheelchair user is travelling with a single companion, a wheelchair-accessible taxi or hackney licensed by the NTA may be all you need. Each must be able to carry a wheelchair user and at least one adult passenger.

Rules worth knowing

• The National Transport Authority enforces Regulation 181/2011 in Ireland
• Wheelchair-accessible taxis and hackneys must carry at least one wheelchair user plus one adult passenger

What passenger-rights law covers

Disabled passengers on regular bus and coach services have rights under Regulation (EU) 181/2011, which the National Transport Authority enforces in Ireland. On scheduled journeys over 250 km, assistance should be requested 36 hours or more beforehand. A private charter mostly falls outside it, so for your own hire, settle the access details with the operator before the day.

Outings from care homes and day centres

When a bus carries only vulnerable people, driving it is relevant work that needs Garda vetting, so ask for that to be confirmed. Then think about each stop. In Ennis, the Friar's Walk coach park has a sheltered drop-off point roughly 100 m from the centre of town, and Muckross House keeps separate coach parking. Where a site runs its own shuttle, such as Glenveagh, ask about access when you book.

Questions

Can my mother stay in her wheelchair for the journey?

That depends on the vehicle and the chair. Say whether it's manual or powered and whether she can transfer, and the operator will confirm what works.

Does EU passenger-rights law apply to a private minibus?

Mostly not. The regulation is aimed at scheduled services, so on a charter you agree access with the operator beforehand.

Will the driver for our day-centre outing be vetted?

If the vehicle carries only vulnerable passengers, the driving counts as relevant work and Garda vetting is required. Ask for written confirmation.

Cities

• Dublin
• Cork
• Ennis
• Limerick
• Galway

Vehicles

• Full-size coach — 49-57 seats
• Midi coach — 29-35 seats
• Minibus — 16-19 seats
• Executive van (Mercedes V-Class / Sprinter class) — 7-8 seats
• Executive car (E-Class saloon class) — 1-3 seats
• Wheelchair-accessible minibus — 10-16 plus wheelchair spaces seats

Ask about accessible travel

Tell us who's travelling, which chairs are coming and where you'd like to go. A licensed, insured partner operator proposes a suitable vehicle with a driver.

Request a quote or call 35312659159