HOUSTON – A rideshare driver who regularly picks up and drops off passengers at William P. Hobby Airport says getting to a restroom has become a significant challenge because of where ride-share drivers are required to park.
Kevin Yackly is an Uber drive with a disability that requires him to walk with a cane. Yackly contacted 2 Helps You over an issue he’s having while trying to make a living, “Well, the main problem is trying to get to the restroom.”
Yackly said the airport recently divided the parking areas, separating taxi drivers from ride-share drivers. The airport says the separations are common nationwide.
For Yackly, this creates an additional challenge because of his disability.
He said the situation and distance he must traverse leaves him feeling like he is being treated differently, “It makes you feel substandard,” said Yackly.
Yackly has a Texas disabled parking license plate, but he said that does not solve the problem because Uber drivers are not permitted into the same are as taxis, which is where the restrooms are located.
Yackly demonstrated the distance he has to travel from the ride-share parking area to reach the restroom on the other side of the lot, “It’s hard to walk and I have a cane.”
The distant walk also creates a physical strain, “As I get to here is when I’m mostly out of breath.”
Yackly questioned why his disabled parking status does not allow him to park closer to the restroom. The area also has designated disabled parking spots that when 2 Helps You visited were empty.
Yackly also pointed out that he maintains a five-star rating as an Uber driver, “So, you’re a five-star rated driver with a one-start bathroom problem? asked 2 Helps You.
Yackly did not hesitate with his response? “Correct.”
After explaining the situation to Houston Airport Systems Communications Director Augusto Bernal, the airport system sent a lengthy statement hours later that did not provide a resolution and required clarity. In their original statement the airport stated:
“Houston Airports takes accessibility seriously and appreciates travelers, drivers, and all stakeholders who raise concerns about their experience at our airports.
Rideshare and taxi operations are kept separate at the airport due to differences in how each service dispatches drivers, a structure common at airports nationwide: rideshare drivers are matched through a geofenced app system, while taxis operate through an attendant-managed queue. Because of this separation, rideshare drivers cannot drive into the taxi side of the staging lot.
Hobby Airport’s rideshare staging site includes ADA parking spaces, as well as ADA-accessible restroom facilities, including separate accommodations for men and women.
We remain committed to accessibility for everyone who works at and travels through our airports, and we welcome continued feedback as we evaluate the driver and traveler experience."
However when 2 Helps You pointed out the inaccuracy in their statement and the fact that the ridesharing staging site does not include ADA-accessible restrooms, the airport clarified their statement as follows:
“Hobby Airport’s staging site includes ADA parking spaces, as well as ADA-accessible restroom facilities, including separate accommodations for men and women.”
2 Helps You has requested for Houston Airport System Director Jim Szczesniak to meet us for an interview at the site in the coming days to further explain the airport’s position when it comes to accessibility for disabled drivers in the ridesharing staging area.
We have not heard back.
As always 2 Helps you will stay on top of this situation.
