What Is a Handicab? The Complete Guide to Accessible Transport

If you or a loved one uses a wheelchair, power chair, or other mobility device, getting from point A to point B safely and comfortably is not always straightforward. Standard taxis and rideshares are not designed for mobility equipment — and that is exactly where the handicab comes in.

At N.E.M.T. Medical Mobility, we have been operating handicab service in Denver and across the tri-state region since 2000. Here is everything you need to know.

A handicab — also called an ambulette or NEMT vehicle (Non-Emergency Medical Transport) — is a specially equipped vehicle designed to safely transport passengers who use wheelchairs, power chairs, stretchers, or other mobility devices.

Unlike a standard taxi or rideshare, a handicab is purpose-built or purpose-converted to accommodate:

• Manual and power wheelchairs
• Bariatric wheelchairs
• Stretchers and reclining chairs
• Passengers who cannot transfer out of their mobility device

The term "handicab" is widely used in the Denver and Colorado Springs area, and you will also see it referenced on resources like handicab.org — a national directory of accessible transportation providers.

The differences go far beyond just having a ramp. Here is a side-by-side comparison:

• Designed for ambulatory passengers only
• No securement system for wheelchairs
• Driver not trained in mobility assistance
• Passenger must transfer out of their wheelchair
• No ADA compliance required

• Designed specifically for mobility device users
• Four-point wheelchair securement system
• Driver trained in safe loading, securement, and passenger assistance
• Passenger stays in their wheelchair throughout the trip
• Full ADA compliance
• Hand-to-hand, door-to-door, room-to-room service

Not all handicabs are created equal. Most NEMT providers use converted vans — standard cargo or passenger vans that have been retrofitted with a ramp or lift after the fact. These conversions can work, but they are compromises.

At N.E.M.T. Medical Mobility, we use only the MV-1 by American Motor Specialists — the only vehicle in America engineered from the ground up as a purpose-built ADA mobility transport. It starts as a military tactical platform and is precision-built for wheelchair and ambulette transport.

Key advantages of the MV-1:

• Widest side-entry door in its class — no tight maneuvering
• Built-in integrated ramp — no hydraulic lift to fail
• Factory-rated for bariatric and power chairs — not aftermarket additions
• Military-grade durability — handles Colorado winters and mountain terrain
• Full standing headroom — passengers arrive comfortable, not cramped

A professional handicab service like N.E.M.T. Medical Mobility offers:

Transport to and from hospitals, dialysis centers, cancer treatment facilities, physical therapy, specialist appointments, and outpatient procedures.

Door-to-door accessible transport to Denver International Airport (DIA), Colorado Springs Airport (COS), and Casper/Natrona County Airport (CPR) — with full wheelchair and stretcher accommodation.

Safe, comfortable transport after outpatient surgery when the patient cannot drive and needs extra assistance.

Specialized transport for passengers requiring bariatric-rated equipment and extra space.

For patients who cannot sit upright, our stretcher transport service provides a safe, dignified alternative to ambulance transport for non-emergency situations.

This is a common question. The key difference is medical necessity and urgency:

• Ambulance: For medical emergencies requiring on-board medical treatment during transport. Staffed by EMTs or paramedics.
• Handicab / NEMT: For non-emergency transport where the patient is medically stable but cannot use standard transportation due to mobility limitations.

NEMT is significantly less expensive than ambulance transport and is appropriate for the vast majority of medical appointments and trips.

Booking a handicab with N.E.M.T. Medical Mobility is straightforward:

1. Call us at 720-210-0058
2. Provide your pickup address, destination, and appointment time
3. Tell us about your mobility equipment (manual chair, power chair, stretcher, etc.)
4. We confirm your booking and arrive at your door on time

We recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance for scheduled medical appointments, though we do our best to accommodate same-day requests.

N.E.M.T. Medical Mobility is based at Pena Station at Denver International Airport and provides handicab service across a tri-state region:

• Colorado: Denver metro, Colorado Springs, Front Range communities
• Wyoming: Casper, Cheyenne, and surrounding areas
• Nebraska: Western Nebraska communities

We have been in business since 2000 — over 25 years of dependable, dignified accessible transport.

For a national directory of accessible transportation providers, visit handicab.org. For local Denver and Colorado NEMT service, call N.E.M.T. Medical Mobility at 720-210-0058.

Your well-being is our priority — from our door to yours.