Uber will pay $2.2 million to settle claims it overcharged passengers with disabilities
Uber is settling a Justice Department lawsuit accusing the company of overcharging passengers with disabilities. The ride-sharing company agreed to pay at least $2.2 million to passengers who were charged a wait time fee despite disabilities that required longer to enter a vehicle. The payout includes nearly $1.74 million for more than 1,000 runners who complained about the charges and $500,000 for "other harmed people." Uber will also offer credits to more than 65,000 people who have been granted a wait time fee waiver, all of whom will receive double the wait time fee they were charged.
Uber implemented wait time charges in 2016, when it began charging customers an additional fee if a driver waited more than two minutes after arriving at a pickup location. This left people with disabilities paying more than other passengers. The Department of Justice alleged that this violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination by transportation companies.
In a statement to Engadget, Uber said it was "pleased" with the deal and said it was "still working" to improve accessibility for users. He encouraged customers to sign up for waivers.
The agreement requires Uber to continue offering the waiver to all eligible passengers for two years. Refunds will also be "readily available" to runners who do not have a waiver, the Justice Department added. Uber promised to advertise the waiver system, which launched in 2021.
This rulebook may not satisfy some critics. It indemnifies Uber against future claims related to waiting charges. The company has also faced multiple lawsuits due to a lack of ADA-mandated wheelchair accessible vehicles — the agreement does not address those concerns. Even so, it can be a win for passengers who had no choice but to pay a premium due to their disability.
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Uber is settling a Justice Department lawsuit accusing the company of overcharging passengers with disabilities. The ride-sharing company agreed to pay at least $2.2 million to passengers who were charged a wait time fee despite disabilities that required longer to enter a vehicle. The payout includes nearly $1.74 million for more than 1,000 runners who complained about the charges and $500,000 for "other harmed people." Uber will also offer credits to more than 65,000 people who have been granted a wait time fee waiver, all of whom will receive double the wait time fee they were charged.
Uber implemented wait time charges in 2016, when it began charging customers an additional fee if a driver waited more than two minutes after arriving at a pickup location. This left people with disabilities paying more than other passengers. The Department of Justice alleged that this violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination by transportation companies.
In a statement to Engadget, Uber said it was "pleased" with the deal and said it was "still working" to improve accessibility for users. He encouraged customers to sign up for waivers.
The agreement requires Uber to continue offering the waiver to all eligible passengers for two years. Refunds will also be "readily available" to runners who do not have a waiver, the Justice Department added. Uber promised to advertise the waiver system, which launched in 2021.
This rulebook may not satisfy some critics. It indemnifies Uber against future claims related to waiting charges. The company has also faced multiple lawsuits due to a lack of ADA-mandated wheelchair accessible vehicles — the agreement does not address those concerns. Even so, it can be a win for passengers who had no choice but to pay a premium due to their disability.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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