Open weekends and holidays, 24-hour phone support

Deployment of vehicles specifically designed for airport transfers for wheelchair users

BridgeMAIT assisted transportation service operates a fleet of vehicles specifically designed for transporting wheelchair users to and from the airport.

Requirements for Airport Transfers for Wheelchair Users

When providing airport transportation for wheelchair users

  • Wheelchair users and their companions can board and disembark safely, securely, and quickly at the airport drop-off area
  • Passengers can travel in comfort without compromising functionality or comfort, even when carrying a lot of luggage
  • The vehicle has minimal side-to-side sway and vibration, allowing passengers with conditions such as spinal cord injuries to travel with minimal stress

In many cases, these requirements must be met simultaneously; in particular, standard vans are originally designed as commercial cargo vehicles, so they may lack ride comfort and interior space when used as-is.

To address these challenges, our company has designed and implemented structural mechanisms that meet the following requirements in a lawful and appropriate manner.

  • The Toyota HiAce Wide Super Long Body (Well Cab) with its spacious interior
  • 4WD drivetrain + LSD (a device that stabilizes power delivery), ideal for safe driving in bad weather and on rough roads
  • Suspension system that controls the vehicle's natural frequency and amplitude
  • A seating arrangement that allows passengers to board comfortably even when the vehicle is fully loaded

What are vehicles specifically designed for airport transfers for wheelchair users?

Let’s compare Wheelchair Accessible Private Transfer —specifically BridgeMAIT the standard vans Wheelchair Accessible Private Transfer.

  • Vehicle Profiles for Comparison
Comparison CriteriaBridgeMAIT vehicleStandard HiAceStandard Caravan
Base vehicleToyota HiAce 200 Series
(Well Cab)
Toyota HiAce 200 Series
Nissan Caravan E26 Series
(Chair Cab)
BodyWide, Super Long, High RoofStandard width, long, high roofStandard Width, Super Long, High Roof
Interior dimensions約7.3㎡約4.6㎡約5.3㎡
  • Comparison of Driving Safety
Comparison CriteriaBridgeMAIT vehicleStandard HiAceStandard Caravan

(Basic driving stability)
4WD (advantageous in bad weather and on rough roads)2WD (at a disadvantage in bad weather and on rough roads)2WD (at a disadvantage in bad weather and on rough roads)

(Stabilization of wheel speed differences)
Torque-sensing LSD (advantageous in crosswinds and on low-friction surfaces)Open differential (disadvantageous in crosswinds and on low-friction surfaces)Open differential (disadvantageous in crosswinds and on low-friction surfaces)
TireHigh load capacity + emphasis on drainage (low risk of hydroplaning)High load + emphasis on service life (risk of hydraulic lock)High load + emphasis on service life (risk of hydraulic lock)
Safety SummaryDesigned to be less susceptible to adverse weather and road conditions, providing a stable ride on the highwayA design that is susceptible to adverse weather and poor road conditions, causing anxiety when driving on the highwayA design that is susceptible to adverse weather and poor road conditions, causing anxiety when driving on the highway
  • Comparison of Functionality as a Wheelchair Accessible Private Transfer
Comparison CriteriaBridgeMAIT vehicleStandard HiAceStandard Caravan
Number of passengers2 people in wheelchairs
4 people who can walk
2 wheelchair users
7 people who can walk
2 wheelchair users
8 people who can walk
Cargo area:
(excluding the seating area)
Approx. 2.1 m³
18 extra-large suitcases
Approx. 0.8 m³
6 extra-large suitcases
Approx. 0.7 m³
7 extra-large suitcases
Wheelchair lift platform area約1.1㎡約0.8㎡約0.6㎡
Side door opening area約1.6㎡約1.3㎡約1.1㎡
Side step area約0.3㎡約0.2㎡約0.1㎡
100V power supply2000 Wh
No limit on continuous use
Less than 1000 Wh
Continuous use restricted
Less than 1000 Wh
Continuous use restricted
Information technology equipmentCeiling monitor
Free WiFi
In-car microphone
Free Wi-FiFree Wi-Fi
Summary of FeaturesFast baggage loading and unloading
Fast and efficient passenger boarding and disembarking
High baggage capacity
Cumbersome loading and unloading of luggage
Acceptable passenger boarding and disembarking
Low luggage capacity
Cumbersome loading and unloading of luggage
Acceptable passenger boarding and disembarking
Low luggage capacity
A floor plan of the interior, including the wheelchair space. It shows the driver's seat, passenger seat, work table, storage compartments, lift mechanism, seats 1–3, and the locations of the entrances, exits, and stairs.
Spacious interior for accessible airport transfers
  • Comparison of Ride Comfort
Comparison CriteriaBridgeMAIT vehicleStandard HiAceStandard Caravan
A sense of openness in the roomRemoving the second-row seats creates a much more spacious feelThere's no sense of openness because there are so many seatsThere's no sense of openness because there are so many seats

(converted value per seat)
約1.4㎥約0.7㎥約0.8㎥
Loading unnecessary equipment for airport transfersNoneYesYes

(roll suppression)
Torsion Beam ControlNoneNone
Shock absorberSofter (custom order)firmSlightly firm

Wide stroke width
Soft
Narrow stroke width
Firm
Medium stroke width
Soft

(Reduces vibration during acceleration)
Bearingresinresin
Summary of ComfortSpacious interior
Smooth ride with minimal vibration
Passenger car-like ride
Cramped living spaces
Bounce and roll
Ride quality of commercial trucks
Cramped living space
Front-to-back pitch sway
Ride quality of passenger-capable trucks

BridgeMAIT vehicles are,

  • Driving Safety
  • Functionality Wheelchair Accessible Private Transfer
  • Ride comfort

Our design prioritizes the needs of wheelchair users, aiming to make airport transfers and long-distance travel with heavy luggage more comfortable and safe.

BridgeMAIT
3-23-43 Mutsukawa, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Mutsukawa 2 32- 00 66