Uber has separated itself from many of its competitors in the ride sharing market, emerging as the industry leader following years of customer and driver support.
Some riders and drivers have brought up safety issues associated with the rideshare service, while others use it on a daily basis both to make a living and get where they need to go.
Uber is one of the largest companies in its industry, but a new lawsuit alleges discriminatory practices that alienated large groups of customers. The lawsuit alleges that Uber participated in multiple methods of discrimination, and that many potential customers were refused service due to factors outside of their control.
Alleged Discrimination Against Disabled Riders
The United States Department of Justice has filed a $125 million lawsuit against Uber on the basis of discrimination. The DOJ says that the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act in multiple ways.
Uber is alleged to have denied riders with disabilities service, charged cleaning fees for service animals and cancellations for riders who were denied service in an “unlawful” manner.
The Justice Department noted that the Americans with Disabilities Act has special provisions for rideshare companies, requiring them to accommodate service animals and to provide rides for people who have stowable wheelchairs or mobility devices.
“Many individuals with disabilities increasingly rely on Uber’s services to meet their transportation needs—including to travel to work, medical appointments, religious services, and other important places,” the DOJ said in its filing.
The department also says that Uber has refused to modify certain company policies to better align with ADA rules. “Individuals with disabilities have experienced significant delays, missed appointments, and have been left stranded in inclement weather,” the complaint says.
Uber’s Response to the Allegations
Uber has issued a response to the lawsuit, and the company notes that it takes instances of discrimination seriously. The company says all drivers are required to acknowledge and agree to the service animal policy, and that they are to follow “all applicable accessibility laws.”
Drivers who violate these rules are subject to “decisive action,” which can include permanent deactivation of their accounts. Uber also said that it gives riders tools to report issues, and has 24/7 monitoring for service animal denial.
“Riders who use guide dogs or other assistive devices deserve a safe, respectful, and welcoming experience on Uber—full stop,” the company said in its response statement.
“We have a clear zero-tolerance policy for confirmed service denials, and we fundamentally disagree with the DOJ’s allegations.”
The DOJ previously sued Uber in 2021 for similar issues. The company was alleged to have charged disabled riders fees when they needed extra time to reach drivers, even when they needed more time because of their disabilities.
Uber settled the lawsuit the following year, and over 65,000 users were compensated as a result.
