Not clear whether this driver was working cross-border or not. The pick-up was in another council area, but Coventry isn't a million miles away from Wolverhampton...
Not that it really matters, but because it's a Wolverhampton private hire badge it's obviously a tad more interesting than usual.
Otherwise, nothing particularly new here, but spot the procedural clanger...
Taxi driver stripped of licence for refusing to take guide dog and leaving blind passenger strandedhttps://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black- ... g-27199099The passenger said when Ramesh Mahesan arrived at the requested location, he "immediately left" after spotting the assistance dogA taxi driver cancelled a trip and left a blind passenger on the side of the road after spotting their guide dog. Ramesh Mahesan has now had his licence revoked for failing to carry the assistance animal.
His licence was issued by Wolverhampton Council, which launched an investigation after the victim complained following the incident, which happened in June last year. The passenger said when Mr Mahesan arrived at the requested location in Coventry, he'd spotted the assistance dog and "immediately left".
He then cancelled the trip, with the booking being assigned to a new driver, who got the victim home safely. The passenger's version of events was confirmed by their personal assistant, who was travelling with them and the assistance dog.
Although Mr Mahesan’s legal representative denied the complaint and stated that the driver had “looked after dogs before” and “is very aware of the importance of taking guide dogs”, his licence was revoked by Dudley Magistrates' Court in April this year. An appeal against the original decision was dismissed after he failed to attend a hearing at the court, where he was also ordered to pay costs of £939.96.
Councillor Craig Collingswood, cabinet member for city environment and climate change, said: “Leaving a vulnerable passenger on the side of the road is inexcusable. When licensing drivers, it is made very clear from the outset that it is a legal obligation to carry assistance animals at no extra cost.
“As a council, we strive to ensure the best possible service for anybody who uses one of our licensed vehicles and this scenario was deeply upsetting to us. Due to the serious nature of the complaint, we no longer consider Mr Mahesan to be a fit and proper person to hold a licence to drive a private hire vehicle.
"Every passenger should feel safe and respected when using taxis or private hire vehicles and we believe that Mr Mahesan did not display the high standard of service that is expected from our drivers.”
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