Vehicle Types 101

Roundtrip is a comprehensive solution that caters to a variety of transportation needs. We offer a wide range of vehicle types in a single platform, including rideshare services (i.e. Lyft/Uber), taxi, medical sedan, stretcher vans, and ambulances (BLS, ALS, and SCT).

Our platform also supports all payer types, such as Medicaid, Medicare, Facility, and Patient. Please note that the types of vehicles available through Roundtrip may vary depending on the settings of the booking organization.

For riders who are ambulatory, Roundtrip offers three vehicle types, each designed to provide different levels of support to meet their unique needs:

Rideshare is a program in which individuals will drive their own vehicle at their convenience to transport riders. Roundtrip is partnered with two of the biggest rideshare companies in the United States: Lyft and Uber.

Rideshare has no restrictions on advanced notice for booking, meaning that you may book rideshare rides five minutes from the requested ride time or even weeks/months in advance! Rideshare is an on-demand service, meaning that even if a ride is booked in advance, we will not search the rideshare network for driver availability until 5-20 minutes before the ride is scheduled to be picked up (depending on your organization's settings).

Rideshare is a great option for riders who are ambulatory and may need transportation with minimal notice. It’s important to note that rideshare drivers are not required to provide any kind of assistance during transport. For more information on what rideshare can offer, review our dedicated rideshare article here.

Taxis are another ambulatory vehicle type which are ideal for riders who do not require assistance from the driver. In addition, taxis are a great option for riders who may need more time to walk to the vehicle than what rideshare can accommodate. Taxis are often used as an alternative in areas with low rideshare driver availability. Unlike rideshare which is on-demand, however, taxis may require some advanced lead time in order to secure a transportation company.

Medical sedans are a great option for riders who are ambulatory but may need some additional assistance from the driver. Medical sedan drivers are first aid certified and can provide door-to-door assistance - meaning they can help escort the rider from the door of the pick-up location to the door of the drop-off location. Similar to taxis, medical sedans can provide more flexibility in wait times than rideshare but may require some advanced lead time in order to secure a transportation company.

For riders who are non-ambulatory, Roundtrip offers several vehicle types, each designed to provide different levels of support to meet their unique needs:

Wheelchair vans are an ideal option for riders who are non-ambulatory and may require transport with a mobility aid such as a wheelchair or motorized scooter. Wheelchair van drivers are ADA and medically trained to be able to assist riders as needed. Depending on the rider’s needs, wheelchair van drivers may also be able to provide door-to-door or door-thru-door assistance - meaning they can help escort the rider from the door of the pick-up location to the door of the drop-off location or into the lobby of the drop-off location.

Like most other vehicle types, wheelchair vans require advanced lead time in order to secure a transportation company.

Stretcher vans are an option for non-ambulatory riders who are bed-confined (or unable to be transported via a wheelchair van) but do not require any medical monitoring. Stretcher vans are usually staffed with 1-2 crew members. The crew may also provide door-thru-door assistance - meaning they can help escort the rider from the door of the pick-up location and through the doors of the drop-off location. Please note that stretcher vans are not available in all markets so ambulance may be the only available stretcher level transport available. Like most other vehicle types, stretcher vans require advanced lead time in order to secure a transportation company.

Ambulance are an option for non-ambulatory riders who are bed-confined and require medical monitoring during transport. Ambulances are usually staffed with 2 crew members. The crew may also provide door-thru-door assistance - meaning they can help escort the rider from the door of the pick-up location and through the doors of the drop-off location.

Roundtrip offers several different ambulance types, varying in skill level and criticality to meet your rider’s needs. Within the Book Trip Flow, Roundtrip has criteria to help you identify which ambulance level can accommodate your rider’s needs. Like most other vehicle types, ambulances require advanced lead time in order to secure a transportation company.