DOJ sues Lyft over alleged disability discrimination

Department of Justice sues Lyft for alleged discrimination against passengers with disabilities Advertisement Updated: 11:59 PM EST Nov 9, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Malcolm Shields Digital Content Producer Department of Justice sues Lyft for alleged discrimination against passengers with disabilities Updated: 11:59 PM EST Nov 9, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Malcolm Shields Digital Content Producer The U.S. Department of Justice said it is suing one of the nation’s largest rideshare companies. The DOJ filed on Monday, Nov. 9, a federal lawsuit against Lyft, Inc., alleging the company discriminated against passengers with disabilities, including those who use service animals and mobility devices such as stowable wheelchairs. Advertisement Related video above: Traveling solo? Safety tips to avoid scams and costly mistakes “Individuals with disabilities should be able to rely on rideshare services free of discrimination,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Jesus A. Osete of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a statement on Monday. “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.” Consumer Reports says Consumer Product Safety Commission faces staffing cuts, stalled safety rules The Department of Justice said it is seeking $53 million for individuals with disabilities whom it claims Lyft discriminated against and added that those who were discriminated against submitted complaints to Lyft or the DOJ. A spokesperson for Lyft provided Florida sister station WPBF with the following statement on Monday night: "We disagree with the Department of Justice’s allegations. Discrimination has no place in the Lyft community. We have long-standing policies requiring drivers to accommodate riders who travel with service animals or use foldable mobility devices, and drivers who violate these policies face serious consequences, including permanent deactivation. We’ve backed those policies with in-app tools, like letting riders tell drivers in advance that they’re traveling with a service animal and reminding drivers that refusing one is against the law. We’ve cooperated with the DOJ throughout its review and remain committed to serving every rider, including riders with disabilities." The Department of Justice lawsuit, which was filed in the Northern District of California, alleges Lyft violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which is also known as the ADA. The law prevents discrimination by private transportation companies, like Lyft, that is based on disability. NTSB recovers cockpit voice recorder from Learjet 60 crash in Florida Lyft and its drivers were accused of “routinely refuse service to individuals with disabilities; impose impermissible surcharges by charging fees such as cancellation fees to riders whom Lyft has unlawfully denied service; and refuse to reasonably modify Lyft’s policies, practices, or procedures where necessary to avoid discriminating against riders with disabilities, including by denying individuals with mobility disabilities the option to sit in the front seat when needed.” CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLAINT The DOJ wants the court to issue an order to force Lyft to stop discriminating against individuals with disabilities, modify its policies to comply with the ADA, and train staff and drivers on the ADA. Make WTAE a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks AI-generated political ads spiked in 2026, but campaigns still prioritized other means of messaging FDA adds warning about rare vision loss to popular GLP-1s FBI investigates 'suspected homicide' aboard cruise ship out of Texas Rochelle Fleming, lead singer of '70s disco and soul group First Choice, dies