Greyhound Settles Disability Access Suit

WILMINGTON, Del. (CN) - Greyhound Lines on Monday settled Americans with Disabilities Act charges against the nation's largest provider of intercity bus transportation.

As alleged in the Justice Department's underlying complaint in Delaware, Greyhound engaged in a nationwide pattern or practice of violating the ADA by failing to provide full and equal transportation services to passengers with disabilities.

In addition to not maintaining lifts, securement devices and other accessibility features on its bus fleet, the government said Greyhound did not provide passengers with disabilities assistance boarding and exiting buses at rest stops.

Greyhound also failed to let customers traveling in wheelchairs complete their reservations online.

The Justice Department says Greyhound must retain a claims administrator to compensate any passenger who experienced disability discrimination during the three years prior to today's filing.

"There is no cap on the number of individuals who may submit claims or on the total amount to be disbursed by Greyhound through this process," according to a statement on the press release.

Passengers with disabilities whom the government already identified as having experienced discrimination by Greyhound will split a separate, $300,000 payment.

Serving more than 3,800 destinations and more than 18 million passengers each year across North America, Greyhound will also pay a $75,000 civil penalty to the United States.

The series of systemic reforms that Greyhound must implement includes annual ADA training for all employees and contractors who may interact with the public, and technical training to all employees and contractors on the proper operation of accessibility features of Greyhound's fleet.

Greyhound must also report its compliance efforts to the government every three months, and ensure that its online booking system lets persons with disabilities make reservations for travel or lodge disability-related requests.

Once the court enters the consent decree, the claims administrator for the fund will be posted on Greyhound's website, and on the department's Disability Rights Section's website.

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