Devon taxi driver fined after refusing to pick up man in a wheelchairA taxi driver has been fined for refusing to pick up a wheelchair user and his two daughters from a taxi rank in Plymouth. Hackney Carriage driver Andrew Mortelmans, of Plympton, was fined nearly £1,700 for refusing to pick the family up at the taxi stand on Old Town Street in the city centre on two occassions in March this year.
One of the victim’s daughters, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “I dread going to the taxi rank wondering how many times I will be refused before a driver will finally take us. "It is very intimidating and frustrating walking down a line of vehicles being refused to be taken because my dad uses a wheelchair and it is not nice for my dad or any person in a wheelchair. This driver reflects badly on Plymouth and on those drivers that have taken us who have been very helpful in the past, " the Plymouth Herald reports.
Mortelmans, 53, who was licensed with Plymouth City Council, pleaded guilty by post for failing to take the passengers and was fined £655, ordered to pay £1,041.50 costs and a £36 victim surcharge. In mitigation he advised the court that he was remorseful and that the worry of this case had affected him both personally and professionally. He said at the time of the offence he was still suffering in patches from a medical condition and felt this was making him feel fatigued at the time and he should have applied for a temporary exemption certificate.
However, the magistrates said they found these incidents particularly concerning as despite being there to service the public he had refused to take a wheelchair twice in one week.
Councillor John Riley, responsible for licensing, said: “This is a very good result and I hope it highlights that we will not tolerate this behaviour from our drivers. “Taxis are a vital component of the public transport system that provides a door-to-door service which is relied upon by a significant number of users. All Hackney Carriage Vehicles in Plymouth are 100 per cent wheelchair accessible, though individual drivers may have a valid medical exemption.
“For many visitors the journey they make in a licensed vehicle will play a significant part in forming an initial perception of the city and so our licensed drivers play an important role in the future economic success of the city as a business and visitor destination.”
To report an issue about a taxi or private hire driver/vehicle visit
www.plymouth.gov.uk/licensingandpermits ... complaints
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