Following the passing of the new abortion law in Texas that states anyone who helps women with abortion will be sued, ride-sharing companies Lyft and Uber have vowed to cover the legal fees of drivers.

The new law allows private citizens to sue any individual who “aids or abets the performance or inducement of an abortion,” in the state. Rideshare drivers could face fines exceeding $10,000 for driving women to an abortion clinic.

In a statement on Friday, Lyft co-founders Logan Green and John Zimmer revealed they created a Driver Legal Defense Fund to cover any legal fees for drivers who transport women to abortion clinics.

Lyft stated the new law was “incompatible with people’s basic rights to privacy, our community guidelines, the spirit of rideshare, and our values as a company.” As a result, the company will take action to protect its drivers.

“Imagine being a driver and not knowing if you are breaking the law by giving someone a ride. Similarly, riders never have to justify, or even share, where they are going and why,” the statement read.

“Imagine being a pregnant woman trying to get to a healthcare appointment and not knowing if your driver will cancel on you for fear of breaking a law. Both are completely unacceptable.”

Lyft will also be donating $1 million to Planned Parenthood to make sure “transportation is never a barrier to healthcare access.”

The same day, ​​Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi revealed the company will following Lyft’s footsteps and cover their drivers’ legal fees.

“Right on @logangreen - drivers shouldn’t be put at risk for getting people where they want to go. Team @Uber is in too and will cover legal fees in the same way. Thanks for the push,” he tweeted.

The new law was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott and went into effect on Wednesday. The bill bans abortions after six weeks, which is around the time that a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

Uber and Lyft have defended their ride-hailing business model against a California law seeking to make their drivers employees rather than independent contractors
Uber and Lyft have defended their ride-hailing business model against a California law seeking to make their drivers employees rather than independent contractors AFP / Robyn Beck
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