Taxi Driver Online

Probe after mum claims taxi driver refused fare because she was carrying beer

Published on Wed Jan 26 12:53:28 GMT 2011

A mum from Sheffield was left “gobsmacked” when a taxi driver refused to let her travel in his black cab because she was carrying a pack of beer.

Alison Dawson, aged 46, of Manor Oaks Garden, Hyde Park, attempted to board with her bags of shopping outside the Co-op on Castle Street in the city centre.

But she said the driver spotted her 12-pack of Cobra beer and told her: “You’re not getting in this cab.”

Alison was allowed to travel in another taxi without any problems - and thinks the first driver may have refused her because of religious beliefs.

Sheffield Council, which regulates black cabs, told her to submit a complaint.

Alison, who works on Pickles Farms stall in Castle Market, said she had six bags of shopping as well as the alcohol and went to catch the taxi home at around 4.10pm.

“I went to the first taxi in the rank. He wound his window down and said ‘What’s that?’ I said ‘What’s what?’ He looked at the beer and said ‘You’re not getting in this cab - you can get in another’.”

Alison, who has a nine-year-old son Lukas Dawson-Fell, said: “I was panicking, I had to get home because my son wasn’t feeling well. I was absolutely gobsmacked. I think it was because of his faith. I’m not xenophobic, but if he’s a taxi driver, that’s his job.

“I’m a strict vegetarian, but I don’t say I’m refusing to serve sausages at work. I don’t believe in any sort of discrimination. Does he not let people get in when they’ve been in a pub?”

Alison said she bought the beer for her partner James Bryson, 30, and remarked she “doesn’t even drink”.

“The next driver was absolutely fine. I rang the council and they advised me to put it into a complaint.”

Council chief licensing officer Clive Stephenson said: “We would not comment on this particular incident as we are still awaiting Mrs Dawson’s complaint and it is, therefore, an ongoing investigation.

“I cannot condone the response described by Mrs Dawson, as we believe the vast majority of our taxi drivers offer a very good service to the people of Sheffield.

“We take complaints very seriously and investigate all complaints fully when received.”

Source; http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/pro ... _1_2976138

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
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who run most off-licences/corner shops then?....

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

up here? Spar

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I haven't a clue tbh. I do know their skin isn't the same colour as mine, but, that's as much as I know. I have no idea what their religious beliefs are and quite frankly I don't care so long as nobody tries to change mine

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

They have a moral objection to beer yet they'll sell you heroin.

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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

Believe me, don't get Mercury X2

You!!! . . . . religious beliefs!!!

More like hedonism!!

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

so no-one else has seen the world of corner shops taken over by muslims then?.....

try going into a bookers but more so bestways and check out the customers

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

I don't want to be picky here but how do you know what their religious beliefs are?

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Pmsl........

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

You can usually tell by the name above the door. Certain names are only used by muslims, certain names are only used by Hindus and certain names are only used by Sikhs. For instance, Singh and Kaur are sikh names. Patel, I believe is a Hindu name.

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Grandad,

I'm glad it doesn't bother me I wouldn't remember what names belonged to what religions

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!