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Justice Department Sues Lyft Over Alleged Discrimination Against Disabled Riders
The U.S. Justice Department filed a federal lawsuit Monday accusing Lyft of routinely denying rides to passengers with disabilities, charging them cancellation fees, and failing to fix the problem through policy and training. The suit seeks $53 million in damages and policy changes under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The U.S. Justice Department filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Lyft, alleging that the ride-hailing company systematically discriminates against passengers with disabilities by denying them rides, imposing unwarranted cancellation fees, and failing to address the problem through its policies and training.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, describes multiple instances in which passengers requested rides through Lyft only to have drivers refuse to pick them up because of their disabilities. Some of the incidents occurred as recently as last month, according to the government, and affected passengers experienced delays in reaching medical appointments.
The Justice Department alleges that Lyft drivers routinely turn away passengers who travel with service animals or use mobility devices, including wheelchairs that can be folded and stored in a vehicle. The government also accuses the company of failing to adequately address the problem through its driver policies, customer service practices, and employee training.
According to the lawsuit, some passengers who were denied rides were subsequently charged cancellation fees, while others faced additional charges and surcharges that were not necessary.
The suit claims Lyft violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which prohibits private transportation companies from discriminating against people with disabilities. The Justice Department is seeking $53 million for passengers with disabilities who previously filed complaints with Lyft or the Justice Department. It also asks the court to impose a civil penalty and require Lyft to change its policies, train drivers and customer service representatives on their obligations under federal disability law, and take steps to prevent further discrimination.
âIndividuals with disabilities should be able to rely on rideshare services free of discrimination,â said Jesus A. Osete, acting assistant attorney general, in a Justice Department statement.
Lyft rejected the allegations, saying it already has policies requiring drivers to accommodate passengers with service animals and foldable mobility devices. The company said drivers who violate those rules can face serious consequences, including permanent deactivation, and that it cooperated with the Justice Department during its investigation.
The company had previously said it would update its policies when it settled a separate discrimination lawsuit in 2020. Lyft agreed at that time to pay damages to four passengers as well as a $40,000 civil penalty.
The lawsuit follows similar legal action against Uber, which the Justice Department sued last year over alleged discrimination against passengers with disabilities. That case, which seeks $125 million in damages for affected riders, is ongoing. Uber has also disputed the allegations and reached a settlement in another disability discrimination case in 2022.
The new case against Lyft highlights persistent concerns about accessibility in the ride-hailing industry, where drivers are often independent contractors and enforcement of disability rights can be uneven. For disabled riders in the Bay Area and beyond, the outcome could determine whether companies are held accountable for ensuring equal access to transportation.