Taxi Driver Online

Nothing particularly new here for anoraks, but not so often we read about this kind of thing in Scotland (of course, no doubt something to do with the fact there are ten time as many local authorities down south than up here )

And this is presumably about the Glasgow City area, but not clear precisely where, and there's also a slightly odd reference to East Renfrewshire, so he obviously knows the scene there as well.

(Just noticed it says he lives in Neilston, which is about ten miles from central Glasgow, and is in the East Renfrewshire Council area, therefore...

But if you're a trade anorak then to that extent the headline is a bit misleading, because he's not a 'Glasgow man' as regards where he lives and how the trade is regulated there )


Glasgow man's guide dog refused by taxi as he tried to attend to attend funeral

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glas ... d-30563393

Colin Hetherington says it's not the first time he or his wife, who also uses an assistance dog, have been discriminated against in Glasgow, but he adds: "I refuse to be treated like a second class citizen."

A Glasgow man has spoken out against discrimination that the visually impaired and their guide dogs face after a taxi refused to take him to a funeral.

Colin Hetherington, a director of Deafblind Scotland, had ordered a taxi to his Neilston home on Wednesday, November 20, so he could attend the funeral of two of the charity's clients. However, he was left angered when the vehicle arrived and he was told that he could not enter with his guide dog due to the driver's allergies.

Colin asked to see the certificate of exemption which would allow the driver to legally refuse to take an assistance dog under the equality act - something the driver didn't have.

Colin explained: "The taxi arrived and the guy opened the door and said no dogs. He kept saying he had allergies so I asked to see his certificate of exemption which he legally has to carry with him in the taxi. If he had it I would have walked away but I know there are about four or five people in the entire of Glasgow and East Renfrewshire that have one.

"He claimed it was in the office then that his son was the one that had allergies while refusing to take me. I eventually told him he can either take me or I'll take him to court and report him to the taxi board."

Realising that Colin wasn't going to back down, he allowed him and his assistance dog to enter the vehicle. The dad, who decided to sit in the front, then says the driver kept nudging his leg claiming that he was 'only joking'.

It comes as the Guide Dogs charity reveals that 72% of guide dog owners faced access refusals in the past year alone with 41% turned away from food and drink premises. The 2024 Open Doors Survey found that 89% of those who experienced an access refusals said it negatively impacted their social life and 79% said they changed their plans or limited where they visited.

And it's not just the denial itself but also the treatment received during an access refusal that leave a lasting impact. Half of guide dog owners reported being treated disrespectfully, while 30% said a service provider behaved aggressively towards them.

Colin continued: "My wife has a guide dog and I know for a fact that she would have ended up in tears and left. Something that has happened before.

"Black hackney cabs aren't that bad but private hire will hit you with every excuse under the sun not to take the dog. It's common for them to claim they have allergies.

"I go food shopping with my wife and I'm dreading it. The last time the taxi came and just drove past us and left us there. I phoned the company and they claimed that the driver had an emergency that he needed to go to. The excuses you get are incredible."

Colin says that the discrimination that he and other guide dog users face is not limited to Scotland, as he has previously taken drivers in Newcastle and South Shields to court, where a series of refusals led two drivers to be given criminal convictions and fines.

He added: "It's 2024 and discrimination against the visually impaired is still common. There are many business in Glasgow city centre which would not allow me to enter. I'm big enough and bold enough to challenge it and take it further. But others like my wife would be left in a vulnerable position.

"I refuse to be treated like a second class citizen."

Colin explains that discrimination can take the form of outright refusals but also incidents like when he was in London where he was sat next to the toilet despite the restaurant being nearly empty.

With over 40% of guide dog owners being challenged in hospitality settings, Guide Dogs is calling on restaurants, bars, and cafes to be more aware of the legal protections for guide dog owners this holiday season and to ensure staff are trained to support equal access.

Owners have a legal right to enter any business open to the public, without being segregated or charged additional fees, yet 39% reported being asked to sit in a ‘pet-friendly’ area and 22% were charged extra. 64% of people said they would be less likely to patronise a business that they know discriminates against guide dog owners*.

Eleanor Briggs, Head of Policy, Public Affairs & Campaigns at Guide Dogs said: “December is a time of year when many enjoy Christmas shopping and gathering with friends, family and colleagues in restaurants, pubs and other hospitality venues. Guide dog owners face the possibility of being turned away from businesses and services. Refusals are nearly always illegal and can cause profound isolation, which is a particular concern around the festive period.

“We want businesses to embrace this season as a time of inclusion. Through awareness and staff training, hospitality venues can ensure everyone feels welcome this festive season – including those with guide dogs.”

For more information on the charity’s access refusal campaign, visit http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/opendoors.

I'd have guessed it would have been more than that, but wouldn't doubt his knowledge in this regard


Wonder why that was? So he's managed to get two prosecutions on Tyneside, but none in Scotland, presumably?

Presumably he lived down there once upon a time, and now lives here, but not clear for how long...


Wonder why that might be? Vehicle design, maybe? Or some other, er, demographic reason?

And that's presumably Glasgow City HCs he's talking about, as opposed to East Renfrewshire - I'm guessing they don't use black cabs in the latter...

And indeed which could maybe explain things - he could be comparing local private hire runs with a ten mile cross-border HC run

Guess which one more likely to be accommodating with regard to dogs?

The fella knows what to do, complain to the operator (firm) and the council.

It's a slam dunk conviction, and that will send a big reminder to all in the trade in respect of what the consequences are of not adhering to the law.

_________________
IDFIMH

Glasgow cab driver who refused to take guide dog has licence suspended

The driver said he had an allergy but did not have any certificate of exemption. His licence has been suspended for a month.

A Glasgow private hire car driver refused to take a guide dog in his vehicle until he was threatened with being reported, a committee heard.

Javid Iqbal told the customer he had an allergy when he turned up for a pick up in November last year.

While appearing before the city's licensing and regulatory committee yesterday, Mr Iqbal said the guide dog was not wearing a jacket at the time.

Committee chair Alex Wilson said it didn't matter whether the dog had a jacket on or not.

Councillor Wilson asked if Mr Iqbal could show documentation confirming he was exempt from taking a guide dog due to his medical condition.

Mr Iqbal replied that he did not have a certificate and stated he no longer had the allergy.

All cab drivers are legally required to transport assistance dogs in the UK unless they are issued with an exemption certificate.

The incident was reported on at the time. Colin Hetherington, a director of Deafblind Scotland, said he had spoken out against discrimination faced by the visually impaired after the cab driver initially refused to take him to a funeral.

He had ordered a taxi to his Neilston home on Wednesday, November 20, so he could attend the funeral of two of the charity's clients. After the incident that he had asked to see the driver's certificate of exemption, which he legally has to carry with him

Mr Iqbal was called to appear before the committee after a complaint was made to the taxi and private hire enforcement unit.

The committee heard that eventually he agreed to take the assistance animal after he was told he would be reported over the matter.

Councillors suspended his licence for a month with councillor Sean Ferguson dissenting.

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glas ... d-31145700

Driver's had his day at the licensing board - a month suspension seems lenient, but I suppose it was more reluctance rather than outright refusal.

So the driver did take the dog, hence no prosecution.

So the issue at the kangaroo court was what exactly?

The driver says that the dog didn't have a jacket, is he, are we, now meant to take everything a customer says as being true and honest?

Would the person and the non jacketed dog be able to go into any food shop without being questioned, and would the kangaroo court take action against said food shop if they were?

_________________
IDFIMH

I wonder what precisely the rules are for demonstrating that it's an assistance dog, and thus the driver is duty bound to take it without an exemption certificate?

Remember that article from Wiltshire last year, when the councillor basically said that if someone claims it's an assistance dog, then it must be?