Chicago Wheelchair Accessible Taxicabs (WAV)

The City of Chicago is committed to transportation access for people with disabilities. Wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) taxicab drivers provide a critical service for people with disabilities by increasing accessible transportation options throughout Chicago.

NEW: Starting 2023, a taxi medallion licensee submitting a WAV TAXI VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SUBSIDY REQUEST APPLICATION form MUST schedule an intake appointment for BACP staff to review application form. Schedule an Intake Appointment

Request a WAV Taxicab

The Centralized WAV Taxicab Dispatch Service allows the public to contact one phone number or use a single smart phone app to request a WAV taxicab. Curb Mobility, LLC (CURB) manages the City’s Centralized Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Taxicab Dispatch Service.

Passengers can request a WAV taxicab ride by calling 1-888-WAV-CABS (1-888-928-2227) or by downloading the CURB app. Passengers will also be able to make in-app electronic payments for their rides via the CURB app. For more information, including steps on how to download the CURB app, visit gocurb.com/ChicagoWAV.

Pace Taxi Access Program (TAP) certified paratransit passengers should book TAP rides by phone if they want to pay by TAP card. Note that rides booked via the CURB app must also be paid for via the app, which prevents the rider from using TAP to pay. TAP riders should follow the protocols of the TAP User’s Guide, which requires TAP passengers to swipe their card in the card reader in the back of the taxi to deduct a ride at the end of the trip.

Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Driver Awards

The Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Driver Award highlights a taxicab driver who serves Chicago’s community of people with disabilities by driving a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) taxicab and providing exemplary customer service to passengers. WAV taxicab drivers provide a critical service for people with disabilities by increasing accessible transportation options throughout Chicago.

The Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Driver Award nominations are open!

Use the nomination form to nominate a taxicab driver who serves our community of people with disabilities, drives a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) taxicab and provides exemplary customer service to passengers.

Submit the by nomination form by email (recommend), mail or in-person.

For assistance or questions, please email BACPPV@cityofchicago.org.

This completed nomination form must be received by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) on or before May 31, 2023.

Annually, the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) recognizes outstanding taxicab drivers for displaying exemplary service to people with disabilities. The award recipients are each awarded a free Chicago taxicab medallion to place a wheelchair accessible vehicle into service as a taxicab.

For more information, visit Chicago.gov/TaxiDriverAward

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles - Information for Owners

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) are required for certain licensees. Please refer to Section VII of the Taxi Medallion License Holder Rules and Regulations and Section 9-112-570 of the Municipal Code of Chicago for guidance.

For a list of Wheelchairs Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), click here to visit Public Vehicles data portal