Investigation launched into alleged disability discrim

captain cab · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 7:03 pm

Investigation launched into alleged disability discrimination by taxi drivers

ALLEGATIONS that taxi drivers in Worcester are refusing to transport wheelchair users are being investigated by Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS).

The licensing body will launch a three-month operation of test purchasing into the alleged discrimination and has promised “formal legal action” if any cabbies are found to be guilty.

Worcester Taxi Drivers Association has hit back at the claims, with secretary Lesley Borthwick calling city cabbies “honest and reliable”.

The WRS investigation will not be completed until the end of July and only then will it be able to confirm whether there is any truth in the damning claims.

In a letter to all taxi drivers WRS wrote: “Over recent months this office has received allegations that wheelchair users are being refused journeys from Worcester city’s taxi ranks by a small number of hackney carriage drivers.

“As you should be aware, it is unlawful to discriminate against disabled persons. Therefore the refusal to carry any passenger in a wheelchair is an offence and breach of licence conditions.

“In light of the above WRS officers, with the assistance of a number of wheelchair users, will be undertaking a series of test purchases from the various city centre ranks.

“Test purchasing will take place over the next three months and any driver found to be refusing to convey wheelchair passengers will be subject to formal legal action.”

A spokesman for WRS added that it “constantly monitors taxi drivers” but that this “particular review is in response to specific complaints received”.

One complainant was a Worcester taxi driver who claims to have witnessed other cabbies refusing wheelchair jobs by ignoring operator requests and making excuses.

The whistleblower, who asked not be named, told the Worcester News: “I am trying to do a good deed and to correct what is fundamentally wrong.

“There is a major problem with licensed vehicles refusing what is their job and primarily part of the licence that has been granted.

“Licensed vehicles do not want or care to pick up vulnerable and less-able passengers.

“There are serious issues that need to be addressed, that may appear small initially but as you look into the grand scale are very serious and have an impact not only locally, but nationally and even globally.”

Miss Borthwick, secretary of the Worcester Taxi Drivers Association, however has defended cabbies in the city.

She said: "I don't know anybody who has done this.

"Taxi drivers in Worcester are generally very honest and very reliable.

"I hope that it turns out nobody has done this because discrimination is completely wrong and would be a breach of the licence rules."

source: http://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/wor ... 1876971._/

captain cab · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 7:08 pm

at the risk of repeating myself;

I suppose this story kind of puts the following one into better perspective;

Controversial Worcester taxi driver shake-up delayed after fury over 'simpleton' test

at the risk of repeating myself again -

VIDEO: Taxi driver caught playing film while transporting passengers

at the risk of repeating myself again, again -

Taxi driver played ISIS beheading video in front of young girl, claims "sickened" father

captain cab · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 7:09 pm

One small city so much mong

Sussex · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 8:42 pm

captain cab wrote:

The licensing body will launch a three-month operation of test purchasing into the alleged discrimination and has promised “formal legal action” if any cabbies are found to be guilty.

Why telegraph the checks?

Are they worried unless warned there will be loads of discrimination found?

Nidge2 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:34 pm

captain cab wrote:

One small city so much mong

captain cab · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:57 pm

It seems poor Lesley Borthwick spends his entire working week apologising for idiots

Nidge2 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:16 pm

captain cab wrote:

It seems poor Lesley Borthwick spends his entire working week apologising for idiots

I bet she's a mong like the rest of them.

captain cab · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:19 pm

Nidge2 wrote:

I bet she's a mong like the rest of them.

He or she cant really tell the local press that the drivers involved are mongs tho - that names been on TDO for a few years on trade matters - I would think they cringe everytime the press phones

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Investigation launched into alleged disability discrim

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