It is well known by Uber users that to board a vehicle, there is a waiting time of two minutes. After that period, the driver can continue waiting for the passenger, but applying a surcharge on the initial fare.
Given the past application of these charges on passengers with disabilities, Uber will offer several million dollars in compensation to tens of thousands of its users, in response to a lawsuit.
Uber will compensate its passengers with disabilities for surcharges applied to their trips
This case was presented in the United States by the country’s Department of Justice, focusing on disabled passengers who supposedly had to pay waiting charges because they needed more time to board the vehicles.
According to Reuters, the lawsuit was filed in November last year. At the time, Uber called it “surprising and disappointing,” while bringing up active discussions with the department about how to address his concerns about the policy. “Waiting time fees are charged to all passengers to compensate drivers after two minutes of waiting, but were never intended for passengers who are ready at their designated pick-up location but need more time to get into the car.Uber said in a statement in late 2021.
Starting this week, it was determined that indeed, before updating its policies that today guarantee refunds of surcharges in these cases, Uber violated the Americans with Disabilities Act in the past, according to the Department of Justice.
This case was resolved through the payment of compensation to the affected users, through an agreement that will last for two years. Uber will issue credits to more than 65,000 eligible riders, worth double the waiting time fees they were once charged, which could run into the millions of dollars. The ride-sharing company also agreed to pay more than $1.7 million to riders who complained to Uber about the fees and $500,000 to other affected individuals.
In recent years, accessibility and inclusion have been issues that have gradually gained strength in our society, in pursuit of a more harmonious life for people with disabilities. Even in the case of a case that points to past difficulties, which today supposedly do not apply under the current Uber regulations, the action of the American justice sets a benchmark for service companies to be inclusive in the concrete and not only through campaigns. of marketing.
