DOJ sues Lyft for denying rides to passengers with wheelchairs, service dogs

The Justice Department is suing Lyft, alleging the rideshare company discriminated against passengers with disabilities, including those who use service animals and mobility devices such as wheelchairs.

The lawsuit, which was filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, is seeking $53 million in damages for individuals with disabilities, who the department says experienced discrimination and submitted complaints to Lyft or the Justice Department.

DOJ sues Lyft for denying rides to passengers with service dogs, wheelchairs

Big picture view:

The department alleges Lyft violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), which prohibits private transportation companies, such as Lyft, from discriminating based on disability. 

The DOJ also alleges that drivers routinely refuse rides to passengers with disabilities, including people traveling with service animals or stowable wheelchairs.

The civil complaint also accuses Lyft of charging improper fees, including cancellation fees, to passengers who were unlawfully denied service. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges the company failed to make reasonable changes to its policies and practices to accommodate riders with disabilities, including allowing passengers with mobility limitations to sit in the front seat when necessary.

What they're saying:

"Individuals with disabilities should be able to rely on rideshare services free of discrimination," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jesus A. Osete of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. "We intend to uphold the ADA’s promise that people with disabilities are entitled to equal access in every part of public life, including essential transportation services."

U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California continued, "Our purpose in the Department of Justice is often to fight for what’s right on behalf of those who can’t fight for themselves. And there are few areas where the fight is more important than in ensuring equal access to transportation services for all Americans." 

He also said,  "We take these allegations of misconduct seriously and, like our case against Uber for similar discriminatory conduct, we will devote all the resources necessary to make things right. The stakes are high and we owe those with disabilities nothing less."

The other side:

FOX Local reached out to Lyft for comment. 

"We disagree with the Department of Justice's allegations," Lyft said in a statement to FOX Local. "Every rider deserves access to rides, period. We have long-standing policies that require drivers to accommodate riders who travel with service animals or use foldable mobility devices for years, and drivers who violate these policies face serious consequences, including losing access to Lyft permanently."

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Lyft continued, "We've built that commitment into the app too, so riders can let drivers know ahead of time they're traveling with a service animal and drivers are reminded that refusing one is against the law. We've worked with the DOJ throughout its review, and we'll keep working to make sure every rider can get where they need to go."

Lawsuit seeks court order

What's next:

The lawsuit is seeking a court order to force Lyft to stop discriminating against individuals with disabilities, to modify its policies to comply with the ADA, and to train its staff and drivers on the ADA. 

 In addition to the monetary damages to compensate aggrieved individuals subjected to Lyft’s discrimination, the lawsuit demands that Lyft pay a civil penalty to vindicate the public’s interest in eliminating disability discrimination.

Crime and Public SafetyConsumerU.S.