🏝️ LONG ISLAND GUIDE · UPDATED JUNE 2026 · 7 MIN READ
Wheelchair Transportation in Long Island — Nassau & Suffolk County Guide
Long Island's suburban layout — spread-out towns, longer distances between medical centers, and limited subway access east of the NYC border — makes wheelchair accessible transportation especially important for Nassau and Suffolk County residents. Here's an honest look at private companies and public paratransit options.
Long Island residents who use wheelchairs generally have three categories of options: NYC-based wheelchair transportation companies that extend service into Nassau (and sometimes Suffolk), smaller local providers, and county-run ADA paratransit programs (Able-Ride in Nassau, SCAT in Suffolk). Which makes sense depends on whether your trip is medical/recurring, time-sensitive, or more flexible.
Private Wheelchair Transportation Companies Serving Long Island
Benny Express Transportation (bennyexpresstransportation.com) specifically lists Nassau County as part of its coverage area, alongside Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island — and offers bariatric vehicles and long-distance NEMT (50-200+ miles), which can be useful for trips between Long Island and NYC hospitals.
NYC Transportations (nyctransportations.com) describes serving "NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and New Jersey" as part of its NEMT service, operating out of nearby Forest Hills, Queens.
NYC Wheelchair Transportation (nycwheelchair.com) also lists Long Island within its broader coverage area in addition to the five boroughs, NJ, and Westchester.
Because Long Island is large and travel times from NYC-based companies can be longer, it's worth confirming actual response times for your specific town — a company that "covers Long Island" on its website may have faster response in western Nassau than in eastern Suffolk.
Able-Ride: Nassau County's Paratransit Program
Able-Ride is Nassau County's ADA paratransit program, providing curb-to-curb transportation through MTA Long Island Bus for individuals evaluated and approved under ADA standards. It covers trips within Nassau County's ADA service area, generally within ¾ mile of fixed-route bus service. Riders can travel to points roughly two miles into Suffolk County, with transfers to SCAT available for destinations further east, or to Access-A-Ride for trips into NYC (transferring riders pay both fares). Some areas — including Syosset, Bayville, Oyster Bay, and Lido Beach — are not served, while others (Valley Stream, Hicksville, Long Beach, Glen Cove) receive partial service, so it's worth checking your specific address.
SCAT: Suffolk County's Paratransit Program
Suffolk County Accessible Transportation (SCAT) has provided shared-ride, curb-to-curb, origin-to-destination service for Suffolk residents unable to use fixed-route buses since 1994. ADA-eligible riders pay $4 per one-way trip, with personal care attendants riding free and children under 5 also free. Trips can be booked by phone at (631) 738-1150 or through the SCAT mobile app, which also allows real-time tracking. SCAT vehicles are wheelchair accessible and operated by trained drivers.
Choosing Between Private Companies and Paratransit
Able-Ride and SCAT tend to be the lowest-cost options for ADA-eligible riders, but both involve shared rides, advance booking (typically a day ahead), and wider pickup windows — they work well for non-time-sensitive trips like errands, social visits, or appointments where some flexibility is okay. For medical appointments with strict timing, recurring dialysis schedules, hospital discharges, or airport transfers, a private wheelchair van — such as Benny Express Transportation or NYC Transportations — generally offers more predictable timing, at private-pay rates (or NEMT/Medicaid billing where applicable — see our NEMT guide).
Airport Travel from Long Island
Long Island residents flying out typically use JFK or LaGuardia, both in Queens and relatively close to Nassau County. See our JFK and LaGuardia wheelchair guides for terminal-specific details — companies like Benny Express Transportation and NYC Transportations, which already cover both Queens and Nassau, can be a practical choice for an airport run starting on Long Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies serve Nassau and Suffolk counties for wheelchair transportation?
Benny Express Transportation specifically lists Nassau County coverage, and NYC Transportations and NYC Wheelchair Transportation both describe Long Island as part of their broader service areas. Eligible residents can also use Able-Ride (Nassau) or SCAT (Suffolk) paratransit.
What is Able-Ride and who can use it?
Able-Ride is Nassau County's ADA paratransit program, providing curb-to-curb wheelchair accessible transportation through MTA Long Island Bus for individuals evaluated and approved under ADA standards.
What is SCAT and how much does it cost?
SCAT (Suffolk County Accessible Transportation) is Suffolk County's ADA paratransit program, operating since 1994. It costs $4 per one-way trip for ADA-eligible riders, with personal care attendants riding free.