If you own a taxi company, then time is money. Every minute your drivers are sitting around waiting for a client is a minute they are not advancing toward their destination. If you pay them by the day or hour or pay them a salary, it is a minute you are paying out money but not bringing any in. Yet, sometimes a bit of patience is necessary.
If someone has a disability, they may take longer to reach your cab when it arrives, and they might need more time to get in the vehicle and out again at the end. Uber decided to charge anyone who takes extra time for this and is now facing a lawsuit from the Department of Justice (DOJ) for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
While there is no suggestion that Uber deliberately targeted those with disabilities, that is not required for an ADA complaint. The law expects all businesses to make specific considerations so that people with disabilities are not discriminated against.
How can you reduce the chance of an ADA lawsuit against your transport firm?
While many ADA complaints are valid, there will always be people who bring false claims to make money. You do not need to replace your taxi fleet with vehicles that lower to the ground or have automatic ramps. Yet, there are steps you need to take. If you are unsure of the ADA requirements that pertain to your business, it is best to learn more now rather than realize you have breached standards after someone complains. While you might lose a little money when someone takes longer to get into your cab, encouraging your drivers to be patient and helpful will bring more business in the long run.