The US Department of Justice is once again cracking down on popular ride-sharing apps for discriminatory policies against the disabled community.
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In 2022, Uber agreed to a multi-million-dollar settlement after the Justice Department sued the rideshare company.
In the milestone lawsuit, the DOJ accused Uber of charging disabled app users additional wait time fees. Uber was ordered to pay $1,738,500 to more than one thousand riders, the Justice Department announced. Plus another $500,0000 to "harmed individuals" the agency identified.
"People with disabilities should not be made to feel like second-class citizens or punished because of their disability, which is exactly what Uber's wait time fee policy did," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division said of the settlement. "This agreement sends a strong message that Uber and other ridesharing companies will be held accountable if their services discriminate against people with disabilities."
The Justice Department is keeping that promise with its $53 million lawsuit against Lyft, which alleges the ridesharing app discriminated against people with service animals and also mobility devices, among others in the disabled community.
The agency alleges that Lyft is violating Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The legislation prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.
"Individuals with disabilities should be able to rely on rideshare services free of discrimination," said Jesus A. Osete, acting assistant attorney general, in a statement. "We intend to uphold the ADA's promise that people with disabilities are entitled to equal access. In every part of public life, including essential transportation services."
Justice Department Sues Lyft Over Policy Violations
The lawsuit, filed Nov. 9, reiterates that Lyft is required by law to transport riders with service animals and also mobility devices.
The lawsuit seeks a court ?order to force Lyft to stop the alleged discrimination. Additionally, the agency wants Lyft policies to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"Our purpose in the Department of Justice is often to fight for what's right on behalf of those who can't fight for themselves. And there are few areas where the fight is more important than in ensuring equal access to transportation services for all Americans," said US Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California. "We take these allegations of misconduct seriously. Like our case against Uber for similar discriminatory conduct. We will devote all the resources necessary to make things right. The stakes are high. We owe those with disabilities nothing less."
