Chariot Medical Transportation

- 8817 Reseda Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324

For many residents in the San Fernando Valley area of California who require specialized assistance for mobility, finding a reliable and compassionate transportation service to medical appointments is a critical need. Chariot Medical Transportation, operating out of Northridge, CA, is positioned as a local provider in the vital sector of handicapped transportation. This is not a standard car rental agency; instead, it offers a crucial public service focused on non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) for individuals who are ambulatory, use wheelchairs, or require other forms of assistance to safely reach hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers.

The importance of a service like Chariot cannot be overstated in a large metropolitan area like Los Angeles County, where missing a vital medical appointment can have serious consequences. The company's core mission revolves around providing safe transport for patients, which includes specialized vehicles and necessary logistical coordination. However, potential users in California must be aware of significant and recurring customer service challenges noted in public reviews, which detail a sharp contrast between the necessity of the service and its execution.

Multiple customer testimonials highlight extreme dissatisfaction, primarily focusing on the administrative and dispatch side of the business. One extensive review describes customer service as "horrible," pointing to one specific employee as "arrogant, ignorant, & rude." Another short and sharp review calls the dispatcher "extremely rude and unprofessional," lamenting the poor standard of service within the healthcare sector. The issues extend beyond mere courtesy to critical operational failures, including a reported refusal to pick up patients on time from medical facilities due to drivers allegedly being "horribly overbooked." These severe service issues are juxtaposed with praise for a few individual drivers—specifically mentioning Robert, Abraham, and Jacob—who are described as "the only good thing about this company," suggesting a deep inconsistency in service quality between the office and some field personnel.

Further concerns raised by local users focus on the quality and safety of the transportation itself. Patrons reported drivers exhibiting "careless" behavior, including "driving too fast," "excessive lane changing, improper passing, failing to signal and neglecting to stop at a traffic light and or stop signs," which creates a sense of "holding on for dear life." Additionally, there are hygiene and safety concerns, such as vehicles reeking of "cigarette smoke" and the practice of putting "a couple of patients in a very small and cramped sedan with no regard of COVID guidelines." This combination of rude customer support, chronic punctuality issues, and reported unsafe driving practices should prompt California users to proceed with caution and verify all aspects of their trip carefully before booking.

Chariot Medical Transportation is physically located in a neighborhood setting within Northridge, placing it centrally for local service routes across the surrounding communities of the San Fernando Valley. The physical office is set up to accommodate the specific needs of clients who rely on mobility assistance.

• Address: 8817 Reseda Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324, USA

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: The premises feature an entrance designed without steps or other physical barriers, ensuring that customers using wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers can access the office smoothly and safely.
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Dedicated parking spaces are available, allowing for convenient and safe transfer between personal vehicles (or other incoming transport) and the Chariot Medical Transportation vehicle. This is vital for patients with limited mobility who need minimal distance from the parking spot to the office or vehicle pickup area.

As a specialized Handicapped Transportation Service, Chariot Medical Transportation's focus is narrowly defined on providing non-emergency transport for patients with various mobility limitations. The service types typically offered by similar providers in the Northridge area, and assumed to be available here based on the business classification, include:

• Handicapped Transportation: Specialized vehicle service designed to accommodate clients who require assistance due to physical or cognitive limitations.
• Wheelchair Transport: Use of vehicles equipped with lifts or ramps and secure tie-down systems to safely transport passengers while remaining in their wheelchairs.
• Ambulatory Assistance: Transport services for patients who are able to walk but require steady assistance, door-to-door support, or supervision during the journey to a medical appointment.
• Non-Emergency Medical Transport (NEMT): Transport to and from crucial non-urgent medical appointments, such as:
  • Routine Doctor's Visits and Check-ups
  • Dialysis and Chemotherapy Treatments
  • Physical Therapy Sessions
  • Hospital Discharges and Transfers to Rehabilitation or Skilled Nursing Facilities
• Patient Transfer: Assistance with movement between the home, facility, and vehicle, though the extent of this service may be impacted by reported staffing and punctuality issues.

When evaluating Chariot Medical Transportation, it is important to distinguish between the intended service offerings and the reported customer experiences. Key features and highlights include:

• Dedicated Handicapped Service: The primary focus on non-emergency handicapped transportation, positioning the company as a specialist in this specific, high-need sector for California's senior and disabled population.
• Physical Accessibility: The facility itself is equipped with a Wheelchair Accessible Entrance and Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot, addressing initial physical access needs for clients.
• Individual Driver Positives: Despite overwhelming negative reviews for management and general staff, specific drivers like Robert, Abraham, and Jacob are commended for providing professional and satisfactory service, indicating that a positive experience may be possible with certain personnel.
• Local Service Area: The Northridge location makes the service geographically convenient for residents across the San Fernando Valley, providing a local option for NEMT needs within Los Angeles County.
• Diverse Vehicle Use (Cautionary Note): While the company uses specialized vans for wheelchair users, reviews note the controversial practice of also using "very small and cramped sedan" vehicles for transporting multiple patients, which may be a feature to inquire about prior to booking.

Chariot Medical Transportation can be contacted at its Northridge office. Due to the high volume of negative customer feedback concerning phone etiquette and responsiveness, clients are advised to remain persistent and consider follow-up communication if critical ride details are not confirmed immediately.

• Address: 8817 Reseda Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324, USA
• Phone: (747) 444-8124 (Based on public directories)

For California residents in the Northridge area needing a handicapped transportation service, the decision to choose Chariot Medical Transportation requires a careful risk assessment. The company fills a necessary niche as a dedicated Non-Emergency Medical Transport provider with essential physical accessibility features at its office, which is a major convenience in this part of the San Fernando Valley. In a perfect scenario, their service provides a vital link between a patient's home and their critical medical care facilities.

However, the collective weight of customer feedback presents a substantial deterrent that cannot be ignored. The reported chronic issues with punctuality, which lead to missed or severely delayed medical appointments, combined with allegations of extremely rude dispatch staff, suggest significant systemic operational problems. Furthermore, reports of careless driving and disregard for basic safety/hygiene protocols (like smoking in vehicles and crowding patients) introduce unnecessary risk for a vulnerable patient population.

Ultimately, this service may be considered as a last resort, or only if a client has had a confirmed positive experience with one of the praised individual drivers (Robert, Abraham, or Jacob). A potential user should place a heavy emphasis on confirming their reservation well in advance, attempting to confirm the specific vehicle and driver, and having a reliable backup plan. While the need for handicapped transport is high in California, users must prioritize their safety and timely access to medical care above all else, which, based on public data, is a major point of failure for this specific provider. Local users are strongly encouraged to research other reputable NEMT options in Northridge before committing to Chariot Medical Transportation.

Chariot Medical Transportation

8817 Reseda Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324, USA