Eat. Drink. Stay. Repeat. From neighborhood gems and food trucks to Michelin star restaurants, explore The Town’s global culinary offerings during the 10 days of Oakland Restaurant Week 2024.

Read More
Search
Close
Don't Leave Just Yet!

Receive fresh email newsletter content monthly. Stay up on Oakland's latest events, attractions & special offers.

Read More
Oakland is pleased to welcome visitors of all abilities. We encourage you to use the list of resources below to discover the variety of options to consider when traveling around town.
 
  1. Public Transportation
  2. Car Rentals
  3. Adapted Van Rentals
  4. Ferry
  5. Train / Amtrak
  6. Ride Share / Uber
  7. Gas Stations
  8. Oakland International Airport (OAK)
  9. Information Hotline

Public Transportation

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)

(510) 834-5438 Elevator updates
(510) 839-2220 TTY
Accessible services

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is an all-electric train service with 45 conveniently located stations that connects the San Francisco Peninsula with Oakland, Berkeley, Fremont, Walnut Creek, Dublin/Pleasanton and other cities in the East Bay. All stations and trains are accessible. There is direct service from Oakland International (OAK) and San Francisco International (SFO) airports to Oakland and cities throughout the East Bay. Find more information on how to get around on BART.

Tickets
Clipper Cards are the most common form of ticket payment. These can be purchased at any station; however, disabled discount tickets cannot be bought at Clipper Card machines at the stations. To receive a disabled discount, there are several options. A Regional Transit Connection (RTC) Discount Card is available to qualified persons with disabilities. This card entitles you to a reduced fare on BART, fixed-route transit, rail, and ferry systems throughout the San Francisco Bay Area but you must apply at a local transit agency that issues the RTC discount cards. If you are visiting, you are eligible for an RTC Discount Card, but you must apply. Other options are to purchase a Red Disabled Discount paper ticket (good only on BART) at the Lake Merritt BART station, the Clipper Customer Service Center at Embarcadero BART station, or at one of the information booths at SFO airport, or you can purchase a discount ticket by mail.

BART Tips

All BART stations are equipped with elevators. The elevators occasionally go out of service, so it is highly advised to call ahead or check the BART app to make sure the elevator is operational at your destination station. The elevator signs can be hard to find, but the elevators are often located at either end of the stations. If you are unable to process your ticket, proceed to the station agent.

There is level access to all trains but be aware that there can be a large gap between the platform and the train. This may present a problem for some wheelchairs with small front wheels. To safely board it’s advisable to back on and off the trains.

All platforms have tactile edges for detection by people who are blind or visually impaired. Announcements are made informing you which train has arrived. Announcements of each stop are made onboard the train.

AC Transit

AC Transit is the public bus system that serves Alameda (includes Oakland) and Contra Costa Counties. All AC Transit buses are equipped with the following accessibility features; passenger lifts or ramps, kneeling capability, priority seating near the front of buses for persons with disabilities and seniors, two wheelchair securement areas on each bus, and stop announcements at major intersections and transfer points are provided either verbally by drivers or by automated equipment. Read about accessible services here. 

A personalized wheelchair marking/tether strap program is also available for providing proper securement points on wheelchairs. Call (510) 891-7113 to schedule an appointment.

Broadway Free Shuttle

The Broadway Shuttle or “the Free B” offers fast, free connections from BART, San Francisco Bay Ferry, and Jack London Square Amtrak to downtown Oakland. Hop on and off the shuttle wherever you see a sign with the green “B on Broadway” logo. All buses have wheelchair access and kneel.

East Bay Paratransit

510-287-5000

Paratransit service is available to persons with a disability, who because of their disability, cannot independently use the regular public buses. To be eligible for East Bay Paratransit you must first fill out an application PDF File, and then be certified as eligible to use the service. Visitors that have already been certified where they reside are eligible for services with East Bay Paratransit when they fax their certification in advance to, 510-287-5069. If the certification is not faxed in advance, visitors must apply in person and bring their current paratransit certification paperwork to the East Bay Paratransit Office, 1750 Broadway, Oakland.

Oakland Paratransit for the Elderly & Disabled (OPED)

OPED assists adult persons with disabilities, seniors, and frail elderly with supplemental transportation services. This service is only available to Oakland residents. Contracted vendors provide door-to-door subsidized transportation services to eligible program participants who cannot access public transportation. You must first apply with East Bay Paratransit to receive services.

Car Rentals

The following car rental companies offer hand controls, spinner knobs, and other adapted equipment but all require 24-hour advance reservations. They are located on-airport at the Oakland Airport Rental Car Center and reachable by wheelchair accessible airport shuttles that run between the terminals and the Center every 10 minutes or less.

Avis                  (800) 962-1434
Budget             (800) 314-3932 
Dollar               (800) 800-4000
Hertz                (800) 654-3131
National           (888) 273-5262
Thrifty              (800) 847-4389
Alamo              (800) 651-1223 

Adapted Van Rentals

Mobility Works

(877) 275-4915 
Ramped minivans for rent, daily and weekly rates, airport delivery for a fee.
Reserve in advance.

Access Options

(408) 734-LIFT (5438)
Ramped minivans for rent, daily and weekly rates, airport delivery for a fee.
Reserve in advance.

Ferry

San Francisco Bay Ferry

Ferries leave from the Jack London Square terminal in Oakland and across the bay to the San Francisco Ferry Building or Pier 41 terminals. Year-round weekday and weekend service is offered. There is wheelchair access to the first level; the grade of the ramp will vary with the tide, and the bathroom is accessible. Light snacks and drinks are available onboard.

Train

AMTRAK

A passenger railroad service that provides medium- and long-distance intercity service in the contiguous United States. Travelers can reach Amtrak’s Jack London Square station in Oakland on the San Joaquins and Coast Starlight routes. The Oakland Coliseum and Jack London Square stations are stops on the Capitol Corridor line, providing frequent connections between Sacramento and Silicon Valley. Trains vary in their accessibility accommodations, so it’s best to contact Amtrak for more information. Qualified persons with disabilities and one companion are eligible for a 15% discount.

Ride Share

Uber WAV

A limited number of ramped vans are available as part of Uber WAV’s program. You must first download the Uber app, enter your destination, and if an adapted vehicle is available, it will appear under the category, “More.”

Gas Stations

California law requires gas station attendants to pump gas at the self-serve price for people displaying either a disabled placard or license plate. However, if there is only a cashier and no other employee at the station, then they are not required to comply with this law.

Oakland International Airport (OAK)

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) operates a connector train from the Oakland Airport to the Coliseum station where you can connect to trains going to downtown Oakland, downtown San Francisco, and many other Bay Area destinations. It is located outside the airport a short distance from both terminals.

Disabled accessible parking is available at all parking facilities. Discounted rates apply to qualified disabled persons. Accessible shuttles are available between short and long-term parking lots.

Supershuttle

800-258-3826
Supershuttle has lift-equipped vehicles and serves Oakland and San Francisco airports. Advance reservations are required. If reserving through the website, it is best to call and confirm that the accessible shuttle was booked.

Bayporter

(877) 467-1800, (510) 864-4000
Bayporter has one lift-equipped vehicle and serves Oakland and San Francisco airports. Advance reservations by phone are required, and rides are only available 3 am-3 pm.

Information Hotline

www.511.org
For trip planning assistance using public transit and traffic, updates call 511 from within the San Francisco Bay Area.

Top