DOJ Sues Uber for Allegedly Discriminating Against Passengers With Disabilities
upstart writes:
DOJ sues Uber for allegedly discriminating against passengers with disabilities:
The US Department of Justice has sued Uber for allegedly discriminating against passengers with disabilities. In a complaint filed with the US District Court for Northern California, the agency claims Uber violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by implementing a policy that has seen the company charge "wait time" fees to passengers who, as a result of their disabilities, need more time to enter a car. The law prohibits discrimination of individuals with disabilities by private companies.
According to the Justice Department, the policy has been in place since 2016 when Uber implemented it in a number of US cities before eventually expanding its use nationwide. Anytime a passenger needs more than two minutes to enter an UberX car or more than five minutes in the case of an Uber Black or SUV vehicle, the company charges that individual a wait time fee. Uber contends most users pay, on average, less than $0.60 when that's the case. However, passengers with disabilities, including those with wheelchairs and walkers, often need more time to enter a vehicle than those without.
"People with disabilities deserve equal access to all areas of community life, including the private transportation services provided by companies like Uber," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the DOJ's Civil Rights Division.
A spokesperson for Uber called the lawsuit "surprising" and "disappointing."
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