Access for All: How California Is Expanding On-Demand Accessible Rides

Getting from point A to point B is something many people do without thinking twice. But for Californians with disabilities, especially those who use non-foldable motorized wheelchairs, transportation is often one of the biggest barriers to daily life. A missed ride can mean a missed doctor’s appointment, a late shift at work, or being unable to participate in community activities.

That is why Governor Newson signed Assembly Bill 1532 into law to reauthorize the Transportation Network Company (TNC) Access for All Program until January 1, 2032. This decision ensures that California will continue investing in on-demand, wheelchair-accessible transportation for years to come. 

A Program Designed for Access and Independence

The TNC Access for All Program was created to help people with disabilities access the same type of on-demand rides many Californians already use from app-based ride services like Lyft and Uber. While these services are common across the state, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, often referred to as WAVs, are much harder to find.

Since 2019, the TNC Access for All Program has focused on closing that gap by expanding access to these vehicles across California.

How a Small Fee Creates Big Change

The program is funded through a simple idea. A ten-cent fee is collected on every TNC trip that starts in California and helps fund a statewide system that gives thousands of Californians greater freedom to travel. It is a small contribution that leads to meaningful impact, supporting safer, more inclusive transportation across California.

This funding incentivizes TNCs to invest in on-demand WAV services in counties across the state. Any remaining funds not invested by TNCs will be remitted to CPUC. The CPUC then distributes these funds to Local Access Fund Administrators (LAFAs). LAFAs are usually county or regional agencies that understand the transportation needs in their communities. The LAFAs will work with local transportation or mobility organizations, known as Access Providers, to put accessible ride programs into action. For counties that don’t have a LAFA, the CPUC will distribute the remaining funds to a Statewide Access Fund Administrator (SAFA) to further expand on-demand WAV services statewide.

This structure allows solutions to be built locally, while being supported by a statewide program.

Program Accomplishments

Communities across the state are experiencing real results since the launch of the TNC Access for All Program.

Of that amount, almost $51 million came directly from the Access for All funding generated by the ten-cent fee. To date, $35.7 million has been awarded to county-level agencies in 15 counties. 

Why This Work Matters

The TNC Access for All Program supports independence, inclusion, and economic mobility. It also strengthens local transportation systems by creating new opportunities for local transportation or mobility organizations and encouraging collaboration between public agencies and private companies.

The recent reauthorization through 2031 signals California’s long-term commitment to equitable mobility and accessible transportation for all.

Learn More and Get Involved

Whether you are a member of the public, a potential Access Provider, or a local agency interested in becoming a Local Access Fund Administrator, more information is available online.

 Local agencies can apply to become Local Access Fund Administrators and help manage funding in their communities. Transportation and mobility organizations can apply to become Access Providers and deliver on-demand wheelchair-accessible rides.

Visit the TNC Access for All Program webpage to learn more.

From there, you can find important resources, including:

By working together, California is building a transportation system where everyone has access to the rides they need, when they need them.

By Taseen Shamim, Public Information Officer