Taxi drivers refused me a lift home Dec 17 2004

An investigation has been launched after a passenger complained that two Coventry taxi drivers refused to pick him up because he was in a wheelchair.

Terry Taylor, 60, of William McKee Close, Ernesford Grange, who was a taxi driver himself in the city for 15 years, said he was forced to wait 45 minutes for a taxi as a result.

Mr Taylor, who has muscular dystrophy and has been in a wheelchair since 1985, said the incidents happened outside The Railway Working Men's Club, in Spon End.

He and wife Jill, 57, had been to the club on Saturday night when a friend hailed a black cab outside. The father-of-three said: "The driver seemed to think he was just picking up my friends and when he realised he was picking me up instead he refused and drove off."

Mr Taylor, who also has five grandchildren, said that happened just after midnight and it was half-an-hour before he was able to stop another taxi, with the same result. He said: "The driver stopped but said he couldn't take me and my wife and all I could think was that he was unwilling because I was in a wheelchair."

Mr Taylor and his wife, who is also his carer, eventually hailed a taxi willing to take them home at about 12.45am.

Frank Barlow, the city council's taxi licensing manager, said a complaint had been received which was being looked into.

He said: "All Coventry hackney carriage vehicles are capable of carrying wheelchair passengers and all drivers are aware of the correct boarding procedure."