Justice Department Sues Lyft, Alleging Bias Against Disabled Riders

The U.S. Justice Department has sued Lyft, accusing the rideshare company of discriminating against passengers with disabilities, including riders who use service animals and wheelchairs. The federal lawsuit, filed Monday, Nov. 9, seeks about $53 million for riders who say they were wrongly turned away.

Lyft says it disagrees with the allegations and points to policies that require drivers to accommodate riders with disabilities.

What the Lawsuit Alleges

The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. It claims Lyft violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which bars private transportation companies from discriminating against people based on disability.

According to the Justice Department, Lyft and its drivers routinely refuse service to riders with disabilities. That includes people traveling with service animals and those who use mobility devices such as stowable wheelchairs, WPBF reported.

The government also alleges that Lyft charged improper fees, such as cancellation fees, to riders who had been unlawfully denied a ride. Lyft riders have raised concerns about unfair charges before, including a case earlier this year in which a driver used an AI photo to charge a fake damage fee.

In addition, the complaint says Lyft refused to reasonably change its policies when needed. One example cited is not allowing riders with mobility disabilities to sit in the front seat when they need to.

What the Government Wants

The Justice Department is asking for about $53 million for people with disabilities who allegedly faced discrimination and filed complaints with Lyft or the department, according to Insurance Journal.

The government also wants a court order requiring Lyft to stop the alleged discrimination, update its policies to comply with the ADA and train its staff and drivers on the law.

"Individuals with disabilities should be able to rely on rideshare services free of discrimination," said Jesus A. Osete, acting assistant attorney general for the department's Civil Rights Division.

Osete added that the department will uphold the ADA's promise that people with disabilities are entitled to equal access to public life, including essential transportation services.

Lyft Pushes Back

A Lyft spokesperson said the company disagrees with the Justice Department's claims and that discrimination "has no place in the Lyft community," according to WESH.

The company said it has long-standing policies requiring drivers to accommodate riders with service animals or foldable mobility devices. "Drivers who violate these policies face serious consequences, including permanent deactivation," Lyft said.

Lyft also pointed to in-app tools that let riders tell drivers ahead of time that they will be traveling with a service animal. Those tools also remind drivers that refusing a service animal is illegal. The company said it cooperated with the Justice Department during its review and remains committed to serving riders with disabilities.

Not the First Case of Its Kind

This is not the first time Lyft has faced federal scrutiny over accessibility. In 2020, the company settled a Justice Department lawsuit alleging that drivers turned away riders who used foldable wheelchairs and walkers, TechCrunch reported.

Under that agreement, Lyft paid $42,000 to four complainants and $40,000 to the U.S. Treasury. It also agreed to revise its wheelchair policy, send drivers regular reminders and create an educational video on assisting riders.

Lyft's biggest rival has faced similar claims. Last year, the federal government sued Uber under the same law, seeking $125 million for riders who said they were discriminated against. Uber said it disagreed with all of the allegations and was "committed to expanding access and improving the experience of riders with disabilities."

The allegations against Lyft have not been proven in court.

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