WASHINGTON: The United States Justice Department had issued notice to Uber, an American mobility service provider for charging higher rates for disabled persons.
The allegations were put against Uber for overcharging passengers with disabilities. According to the statement on the department’s website, Uber Technologies charged “wait time” fees to passengers who needed more time to enter the car due to their disability. The department also asked the company to comply with the anti-discrimination law of America.
Furthermore, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said, “People with disabilities deserve equal access to all areas of community life, including the private transportation services provided by companies like Uber.”
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She added further, “This lawsuit seeks to bring Uber into compliance with the mandate of the Americans with Disabilities Act while sending a powerful message that Uber cannot penalize passengers with disabilities simply because they need more time to get into a car.”
Uber and other companies that provide transportation services “must ensure equal access for all people, including those with disabilities,” she added.
Meanwhile, the mobility service provider, Uber is charging passengers for driver waiting times since 2016. The firm mentions that riders are charged on average less than 60 cents for wheelchair-accessible trips or Uber Assist trips it does not have any wait time fees by default.
