A Toronto Lyft driver returned a B.C. woman’s $8,000 mobility device after months of unreturned calls, leaving her housebound without the essential wheelchair accessory
British Columbia Woman Reclaims Mobility Device After Long Wait
A British Columbia woman with a neurological disorder is happy to get her mobility device back. She accidentally left it in a Toronto ride-hailing driver’s car in October.
Bronwyn Berg, 55, her son, Lyft, and Toronto police tried to convince the driver to return the $8,000 SmartDrive device. This device powers her wheelchair but was not returned.
Without the SmartDrive, Berg struggles to move up hills or on uneven ground. She has been mostly housebound for months.
Background on the SmartDrive Device
Berg has a neurological disorder and seizures. She has used a wheelchair for about nine years. She got the SmartDrive seven years ago. Now on disability support, she cannot afford to replace it.
The SmartDrive is an electronic wheel that adds power to help users navigate hills and rough terrain.
Return of the Device
The Lyft driver sent the device by FedEx to Berg’s son, Magnus, in Toronto on Friday. The driver agreed to return the SmartDrive two days earlier after being contacted by CBC Toronto.
However, the driver could not explain why he kept the device since October when Berg left it in his trunk.
Details of the Incident
Berg arrived in Toronto from Chemainus, B.C., on October 7 for the Thanksgiving weekend. She enjoyed a relaxed weekend with her son.
On October 13, she took a Lyft from her son’s apartment to Toronto Pearson Airport. After arriving in Victoria, she realized her SmartDrive was missing.
After several calls, she discovered she left it in the Lyft driver’s trunk.
Attempts to Retrieve the Device
Lyft contacted the driver and informed Magnus how to reach him. Both Magnus and Bronwyn said the driver asked for $30 to return the device. They agreed, and a Lyft customer service representative said the company would handle the payment.
Lyft provided the driver with a prepaid FedEx label for the return. After that, the driver stopped responding to calls from Lyft and the Bergs.
Lyft’s Response
Lyft decommissioned the driver. They stated, “The behaviour described is deeply concerning and unacceptable.” They also said they would assist law enforcement with any investigation.
In December, Magnus contacted the Toronto Police Service. They confirmed they received a report about the missing device. However, an investigator had trouble convincing the driver to return it.
Final Outcome
On Friday, Magnus received the SmartDrive by courier. He expressed happiness but also called for policy changes. He wants companies to have more power to ensure drivers cooperate when a rider’s belongings go missing.
“We’re not talking about a phone that was lost, we’re talking about vital medical equipment,” he said.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 7 | Berg arrives in Toronto for Thanksgiving |
| October 13 | Berg takes Lyft to airport and realizes SmartDrive is missing |
| December | Magnus contacts Toronto Police Service |
| Friday (recent) | Magnus receives SmartDrive by FedEx |
