A Phoenix law firm which advocates for the rights of the disabled is suing a taxi company that operates around Arizona.
The case is against Total Transit, a national firm which has a fleet of taxis in the Phoenix and Tucson areas under the label Discount Cab. Attorney Jessica Ross of the Arizona Center for Disability Law said a customer who can use a standard vehicle is charged the regular rates. But she said if someone in a motorized wheelchair needs an accessible vehicle, the company adds a fee. Ross said that violates both state and federal laws.
“There are accessible vans in the fleet. Our clients don't have the option of taking the standard taxi," Ross said. "It's our position that it's discriminatory for them to take that taxi ride they need to pay an additional $10 fee.”
Ross says the company isn’t required to have accessible vehicles but certain legal standards apply once they do.
A spokesman for Total Transit said the company cannot comment on pending litigation.
Updated 2:37 p.m.
