Class action lawsuit against Lyft over lack of wheelchair-accessible vehicles goes to court. Here are the arguments.

WHITE PLAINS, NY – Testimony is currently underway in a class action lawsuit in a case that could affect thousands of wheelchair users.

They want the ride-sharing company Lyft to provide more WAVs (wheelchair accessible vehicles).

Plaintiffs’ attorneys claim Lyft discriminates against wheelchair users outside New York City by denying their requests for wheelchair-accessible vehicles, which Lyft provides in the five boroughs and eight other markets.

When WAVs are requested in Westchester, Nassau and other counties, users are connected to paratransit and other providers.

“Lyft says it is “actively seeking solutions to the shortage of WAVs, but finding enough of these types of vehicles remains a challenge.”

The plaintiffs have proposed a 10-cent surcharge on all Lyft rides to expand access to WAVs.

Lyft argues that it is not actually a transportation company

Lyft also argued that it is a technology company, not a transportation company, and therefore cannot force independent drivers to purchase expensive WAVs.

Matthew Hebel is the owner of rideawav.com. He believes Lyft should offer accessible vehicles, even if it would mean more competition.

“I think there’s enough demand out there for everyone. This lawsuit is right in what they’re doing,” Hebel said.

“It’s the right thing”

Seven years after the Lyft lawsuit was filed, Donna Ponessa didn’t want to miss the first day of testimony.

“It’s very sad that it has actually come to this. I wish it had just been settled amicably. That’s the right thing to do,” Ponessa said on Monday.

“We have the right to use transportation and Lyft is denying us that,” added wheelchair user Mary Maycuk.

A federal judge will decide everything in this trial without a jury.