Taxi Driver Online

Disabled West Lancashire amputee refused minicab rides because he used a helper dog

A DISABLED man has spoken of his anger about minicab drivers who refuse to take him on journeys because he has to bring his helper dog with him.

Phil Thomas, of Rutland Crecent, Town Green, Aughton, told the Champion that on two occasions he has called for minicabs to take him from his home into Ormskirk, but that the drivers have refused to take him because his helper dog, Chi, needs to come with him.

Mr Thomas, an amputee who suffers from arthritis, diabetes and complications resulting from blood clots on his lungs, said: “I can go into Ormskirk on my electric mobility scooter and take it to the bus stop or train station and then use public transport, but that means riding it down the country lanes which can be quite dangerous, especially at night, so sometimes I have to use a minicab.

”But several times now drivers have refused to take Chi in the car with them.

“He is an assistance dog, and helps me with tasks, including helping me when my blood sugar goes low because of my diabetes.

”When they have refused it's made me very angry, as it usually spoils my evening.“

Mr Thomas added that he believed that minicab firms contravene discrimination laws by not accepting custom from a disabled person who needs the use of an assistance dog to carry out everyday tasks.

It is not the first time Mr Thomas has encountered problems with using assistance dogs to help him complete everyday tasks. In 2011, the Champion reported on his battle with the borough council to let him keep his other helper dog, Tilly, after the borough council said he could keep more than one at his council-owned flat. The local authority eventually reconsidered its position, and allowed him to keep both of the dogs at his home.

West Lancashire Borough Council, the authority responsible for licensing minicab firms across the borough, said it was investigating the minicab issue.

A council spokesperson said: ”There is a requirement for drivers of private hire vehicles and hackney carriages to accept assistance dogs under the Equality Act 2010, which is reaffirmed in the council’s licensing policy.

“Drivers can apply to be exempt from carrying assistance dogs. Such exemptions are routinely granted on medical grounds and each application is assessed by the council on a case by case basis.

”If approved, the driver must display an exemption certificate in their vehicle. The council’s licensing service will investigate claims that licensed drivers are not complying with their obligations under the Equality Act.“

If youy have a similar problem get in touch with the council's licensing service on 01695 585015, by email at licensing.enquiries@westlancs.gov.uk or by post at Robert Hodge Centre, Stanley Way, Skelmersdale WN8 8EE

source: http://www.champnews.com/newsstory.aspx?story=3035544

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

We can only imagine which drivers are refusing to carry his assistance dog?

Yes - the nasty ones

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

With the funny coloured skin??

So anyone who comes along and claims that their dog is an assistance dog.................and we have got to let them in

I can see the situation whereby someone develops a fictitious limp, and hey ho every man and his dog will be going home in a Taxi/P.h. It really needs clarifying - I am white - I take visually impaired people + dog............but I do not like animals in my cab out of choice.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

People who use assistance dogs will have some form of paperwork or card to confirm that they are using an assistance dog.

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Grandad,

Right, not a problem as such. When there is no paper work/card...............the situation is what ? (excluding visually impaired as that is usually obvious).

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

A bit of a funny one here.

This could come up and I wonder as to whether ones spouse/children would be classified as "others".

We have a family car aside from my cab, so my wife does not travel in my cab very often. My wife is genuinely allergic to animal hair, so much so, it will cause her eyes and her lips to swell, also causing blotches to her skin. It leaves me wondering for those who are a one car/cab family as to whether they could claim exemption, as they do not really imo come under "Others", as i.e "Others" in the public.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

As it's a licensed vehicle at all times, use for SDP is unlikely to wash. You have the option of running a private car.
Speaking of washing, is it not the driver's responsibility to clean the vehicle including any animal hair?

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

I agree with the above to a point!




What it does not do is to totally exclude an allergy i.e "Unlikely", not totally definitive/positive.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

Surely it would be impossible to be definitive until someone tests it through the courts?

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Well I would say use common sense. To me the carriage of dogs has never been a problem. On our tariff card we can charge £1.00 for each animal (no charge for assistance dogs) but I have never charged this extra. Some drivers will moan at dog hairs in the car but sticky tape is the quick and easy way to remove them.

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Grandad,