Z Trip’s Iris Program Under Fire: Drivers Sue Over Unpaid Wages and Harsh Working Conditions

Drivers with Kansas City’s IRIS microtransit program have filed a lawsuit against its parent company, zTrip,  alleging exploitative labor practices that force them to “pay to work” while denying them overtime compensation.

The lawsuit was filed last week and was announced at a press conference on Thursday outside the U.S. courthouse, where low-wage workers with Stand Up KC and members representing faith, labor, and civil rights organizations stood in solidarity with drivers. This legal action follows months of organizing from drivers, who launched a union campaign in 2024 to address low wages and a lack of benefits under the IRIS program.   

IRIS driver Darian Hall said that the company’s exploitative practices result in drivers losing money instead of making it. Some drivers pay a daily $90 vehicle usage fee, while all drivers are  required to pay $25 a week for insurance that only covers the vehicle, not the driver, he said. Even getting paid costs drivers a voucher processing fee. 

“​​I didn’t know I had to pay to work. I have to pay to get paid,” Hall said. “It’s a cycle. You have to pay for gas, you have to pay for processing fees, you have to pay for the vehicle.”

But what if drivers are unable to make that money back? What if drivers are unable to pay zTrip for the daily vehicle usage or insurance? What happens?

Hall explained it in plain terms:

“If you get behind on your fees, they put another fee on top of it.”

If compounding fees weren’t enough, drivers could also be suspended from the program, meaning they’re not allowed to work to pay back the fees. 

“I met a lot of folks who lost their jobs,” Hall said. “They don’t get to work because they owe zTrip money.”

In addition to the costly fees, compounding charges on top of unpaid balances, and not allowing drivers to work, Hall said zTrip has also reduced driver hours  and withheld overtime pay. 

The lawsuit shines a light on the blatant disregard drivers said zTrip showed them. But despite the unresolved matters, Hall loves what he does and knows how vital it is to underserved communities that lack public transit.

“The public needs this micro transit program,” Hall said, “We pick up and drop off people where the buses can’t get to. I don’t want the community to be without transportation.”