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Posted on the 19th May 2025 in PHTM News
WIRRAL CABBIE TO PAY £760 FOR REFUSING BLIND WOMAN WITH HER GUIDE DOG
A Wirral taxi driver has been penalised with a £760 court bill after he left an elderly blind woman and her guide dog stranded in the "freezing cold."
The incident occurred in January when Monica Price, an 80-year-old registered blind woman, had booked two taxis with Argyle Taxis in Birkenhead for a meeting in Wallasey.
Recounting the first encounter on being picked up, Ms. Price told the Globe: "The driver was most unfriendly and announced he had been waiting for at least five minutes... He must have seen I had a guide dog but it was only when I got to the car with my dog’s harness in my hand that he screamed at me, ‘I can’t take you. I’m allergic. Get that dog away from me’."
Ms. Price described how the driver then "jumped out his car 'still screaming' and ran down the street leaving her stranded."
She said: “Eventually another taxi was called, and I might have just put this episode down to experience but the man who came to collect me from my meeting was rude and belligerent, shouting he was allergic to dogs.
“He drove off and left me in the freezing cold. I had to get someone from the meeting to bring me home.”
Under UK law, taxi drivers are obligated to accept guide dogs and other assistance dogs unless they possess a medical certificate verifying a genuine allergy.
Following the incident, Argyle Satellite stated they would conduct a full internal investigation and cooperate fully with Wirral Licensing.
A spokesperson for the firm said at the time: "We are deeply disappointed to hear of these alleged incidents and strongly condemn any breach of the Disability Discrimination Act or the Equality Act... We expect all our drivers to adhere to the Equality Act 2010, and uphold their duty to carry passengers with guide, hearing, and other assistance dogs without additional charge, except for those who have successfully applied to the council for exemption on medical grounds.”
On Thursday, May 16th, one driver pleaded guilty in court and was fined £200, ordered to pay £500 in costs, and a £60 victim surcharge. His future as a licensed taxi driver now hangs in the balance as he is required to appear before the licensing committee.
A Wirral Council spokesperson affirmed their commitment to accessibility, stating: “The council is committed to ensuring that everyone wishing to travel in taxis licensed by Wirral can do so safely and in the knowledge that they will be provided with appropriate assistance... All drivers licensed by Wirral must undergo training that includes details of their responsibilities to passengers who wish to travel with an assistance dog.
"We will therefore take robust action should licensed drivers fail to carry out their duties.”
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