Ride-hailing app Uber has been sued by the US Department of Justice for overcharging disabled people. The Justice Department has argued that Uber is charging disabled passengers for “wait time”.
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) said it takes more than two minutes for disabled passengers to get into a car, and this extra fee is creating discrimination against disabled passengers. It also says that Uber must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and comply with their charge with this act. However, Uber denies this claim outright and said the wait fees were not intended to apply to disabled passengers.
Assistant Attorney General for the DoJ Division of Civil Rights Kristen Clarke said the lawsuit will send a “powerful message that Uber cannot penalize passengers with disabilities simply because they take longer to get into a car.”
Kristen also mentioned that Uber and other companies need to provide transportation services. She added that they “must ensure equal access for all people, including those with disabilities.” However, Uber said it does not agree that its policies are in violation of the ADA.
An Uber spokesman said the lawsuit was “surprising and disappointing”. Uber also mentioned that the wait time fees were “never intended for passengers who are ready at the designated pick-up location, but need more time to get into the car.” He then added: “After a recent change last week, now any driver who certifies that they are disabled will automatically have their fees waived.”
