Justice Department sues Lyft over refusing riders with disabilities

The Justice Department has sued Lyft, accusing the ride-hailing company and its drivers of routinely refusing rides to passengers with disabilities. The government says this includes people who use wheelchairs and people who travel with service animals. The suit seeks $53 million in damages for riders with disabilities who filed complaints.

What the government says

The department says Lyft broke Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. That federal law bars transportation companies from discriminating based on disability. The complaint focuses on riders who use mobility devices such as stowable wheelchairs, and on riders with service animals trained to perform tasks tied to their conditions.

• Drivers refuse to pick up riders with wheelchairs or service animals.
• Lyft charges cancellation fees to riders who were refused service.
• Lyft will not change policies, such as letting riders with mobility issues sit in the front seat when needed.

Not the first time

Lyft settled similar claims with the department in 2020. That investigation began after a wheelchair user in Los Angeles filed multiple complaints about being refused rides. Lyft agreed to pay damages and revise its wheelchair policies. The department now appears to have decided those changes were not enough.

Lyft is not alone. The department also sued Uber last year, saying Uber and its drivers routinely refuse to serve people with disabilities. Both cases were filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

Lyft's response

Lyft denies the allegations. In a statement to the New York Times, it said, "Discrimination has no place in the Lyft community." The company says it has long-standing policies requiring drivers to accommodate riders with service animals or foldable mobility devices. It says drivers who break those rules face serious consequences, including permanent deactivation.

What it means for riders

If you or a family member rides with a wheelchair or a service animal, the law gives you a right to a ride. Refusals can be reported. The damages in this suit are tied to people who complained to Lyft or to the department itself.

Several things are not known yet. The material does not say how the court will rule or how long the case will take. It also does not say how many riders are covered. Beyond the damages, the department is asking the court to order Lyft to train its drivers on the ADA.