Md. County officials oppose D.C. Metro partnership with Uber, Lyft

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Members of the Montgomery, Md., County Council are asking the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) to drop any possible plan that would give Uber or Lyft a share of the region’s paratransit services, The Washington Post reports.

In a letter to Metro GM Paul J.Wiedefeld, the council members said the app-based transportation companies have a history of not providing accessible service and Metro shouldn’t reward them with a contract. Metro is exploring possible partnerships with Uber and Lyft to introduce an alternative and less costly option to MetroAccess.

The letter echoes some of the concerns raised by accessibility advocates who have said that Uber and Lyft have not done enough to meet the needs of people with disabilities, such as those who are blind or use wheelchairs. For the full story, click here.