The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has filed a lawsuit against ride-hailing company Uber, alleging that its wait-time fees discriminate against disabled passengers. The DoJ claims that Uber's practice of charging fees if a passenger takes more than two minutes to enter the vehicle violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Uber has defended its policy, stating that wait-time fees were never intended for disabled riders and that it has been refunding such fees. The company also noted that after a recent policy change, any rider who certifies they are disabled will have fees automatically waived.
Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for the DoJ's civil rights division, said the lawsuit aims to send a message that Uber cannot penalise passengers with disabilities for needing more time to get into a car. Uber expressed disappointment, saying it had been in talks with the DoJ before the lawsuit was filed.
This is not the first time Uber has faced legal action over disability issues. In April, the company was ordered to pay $1.1 million to a blind woman in San Francisco after she was refused rides on 14 occasions. In the UK, Paralympic medallist Jack Hunter-Spivey reported that Uber drivers often drove off when they saw he was a wheelchair user.
Maria Town, president of the American Association of People with Disabilities, said the practice of charging extra fees for services like ride-sharing adds an additional 'tax' for disabled consumers. She called the elimination of wait-time fees for disabled riders a step toward economic equality and dignity.
