March 25, 2026
Re: SF 4699 – Transportation Network Companies (TNC; Wheelchair Accessible Service and Accessibility Standards)
Dear Chair Dibble and Members of the Committee,
The Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback on SF 4699, which addresses accessibility in TNC services, including rideshare platforms.
MCD serves as a liaison between Minnesotans with disabilities and the legislature. Through our 2025 Legislative Priorities Survey—engaging nearly 800 Minnesotans- access to transportation emerged as one of the most consistent and urgent concerns, directly affecting employment, health care access, community participation, and independent living.
Access to reliable wheelchair-accessible rideshare service remains one of the most persistent gaps in Minnesota’s transportation system. When wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) are unavailable, individuals face significantly longer wait times—or are unable to secure rides at all. This pattern is consistent with national findings on transportation accessibility, which show that insufficient WAV supply leads to delays, unmet demand, and reduced mobility for people with disabilities.
SF 4699 represents an important step forward by moving beyond planning and toward real service access. We especially appreciate the bill’s focus on WAVs, funding mechanisms, and data reporting to improve accountability. To strengthen the bill and ensure meaningful, sustainable access, MCD respectfully recommends:
- Clarifying statutory language (Lines 13.24–13.27) to explicitly reference wheelchair-accessible vehicles, rather than the broader term “accessible vehicles,” and aligning expectations with ADA standards of near-equivalent service;
- Establishing clear service expectations, including reasonable and comparable wait times and geographic coverage for WAV service;
- Strengthening the accessibility fee structure to ensure it meaningfully incentivizes WAV deployment. Vehicle modifications alone can cost $25,000–$30,000, in addition to higher insurance, inspection, and licensing costs. Without sufficient financial incentive, WAV supply will remain limited;
- Evaluating fleet targets that produce real service outcomes. While 7.5% may improve urban access, comparable service depends on wait times and reliability. Experience from the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission suggests higher WAV availability is needed; preliminary modeling points to 15–25% as a more effective range;
- Strengthening the use of surcharge funds to directly support vehicle acquisition, driver support, and operational sustainability;
- Ensuring strong implementation and oversight, so reporting requirements translate into improved service outcomes;
- Maintaining and reinforcing digital accessibility standards for all user platforms.
Minnesota has seen the consequences of addressing accessibility too late, including recent settlements involving TNC’s lack of compliance with accessibility requirements. SF 4699 presents an opportunity to take a more proactive approach—one that aligns accessibility, system design, and workforce realities from the outset.
If helpful, we would be glad to briefly walk through these recommendations with committee staff or provide testimony.
We appreciate the committee’s leadership on this issue and look forward to continued collaboration.
Joel Runnels, PhD
Legislative Affairs Director
Minnesota Council on Disability