Justice Department sues Lyft over alleged disability discrimination

The Justice Department alleges Lyft drivers routinely refuse rides to passengers who use stowable wheelchairs or travel with service animals. The lawsuit, lodged in a federal tribunal in California, says the company also charges cancellation fees when passengers are turned away and sometimes imposes higher fees or unnecessary surcharges on disabled riders.

The department says the alleged denials have affected hundreds, and likely thousands, of people. It accuses Lyft of not adopting sufficient measures to prevent discrimination, and of not adequately training drivers and customer service representatives on their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The government is seeking $53 million in damages for passengers and asks the court to consider a civil penalty against Lyft. It also seeks an order requiring driver training. The complaint cites, among other issues, denial of a front seat when a passenger with mobility needs requires it.

Lyft disputes the allegations. The company said its policies require drivers to accommodate riders with service animals or foldable mobility devices, and that drivers who break those rules can be permanently deactivated. Lyft also said it cooperated with the department’s review.

The lawsuit follows a 2020 settlement over similar allegations. Lyft agreed then to revise its policies, pay four passengers damages and pay a $40,000 civil penalty. The Justice Department also sued Uber last year over alleged disability discrimination.

Justice Department seeks accountability for Lyft disability denials

Disabled riders should be able to rely on a ride service without being turned away or penalized for a driver’s refusal. The Justice Department’s lawsuit says Lyft and its drivers routinely denied service to people using stowable wheelchairs or traveling with service animals, then sometimes charged cancellation fees or higher prices.

The complaint says the alleged refusals touched hundreds, and probably thousands, of people. It also accuses Lyft of failing to make adequate policy changes and to train drivers and customer service representatives on federal disability protections. The government is asking for $53 million in passenger damages, a possible civil penalty and an order requiring driver training.

Lyft says it has policies requiring accommodation and can permanently deactivate drivers who violate them. But the department’s case follows a 2020 settlement in which the company agreed to revise policies, compensate four passengers and pay a $40,000 penalty. The new allegations raise the question of whether those commitments have protected riders in practice.

The case was filed in federal court in California. The Justice Department also sued Uber last year over similar alleged conduct, underscoring the stakes for disabled passengers who depend on ride-hailing services.

DOJ targets Lyft despite company’s stated accommodation rules

The Justice Department is pursuing a sweeping case against Lyft, seeking $53 million in damages and a possible civil penalty over alleged denials of rides to people with disabilities. The lawsuit says drivers routinely turned away passengers with stowable wheelchairs or service animals and that some riders faced cancellation fees or higher charges.

Lyft says discrimination has no place in its community and points to longstanding rules requiring accommodation. It says drivers who violate those policies can be permanently deactivated, and that it cooperated with the department’s review. Those stated rules matter as the government asks a court to require driver training and impose further consequences.

The allegations also include claims that Lyft failed to change its practices after earlier concerns. In 2020, the company settled similar allegations, agreeing to revise policies, pay four passengers damages and pay a $40,000 civil penalty. The new suit puts the company’s compliance efforts under renewed scrutiny.

The case was filed in federal court in California and comes after the Justice Department sued Uber last year over similar accusations. The government’s claims remain allegations in the lawsuit.