Posted on the 5th November 2025 in PHTM News
'APPALLED AT THE DISCRIMINATION': PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER FINED FOR REFUSING BLIND PASSENGER AND GUIDE DOG
A private hire driver has faced legal consequences, including a fine and the revocation of his licence, after refusing to take a blind customer and her guide dog in Manchester.
Mohamed Abid Hussain arrived to pick up the woman, who had booked through the Uber app to go to a city centre train station. However, he told the passenger she could not bring "her pet" into his vehicle, despite the animal wearing a high-vis harness.
The customer, who is registered blind and was heading home to London, explained the dog was a guide dog before Hussain refused the fare.
Trafford Council subsequently revoked Hussain's licence and launched a prosecution.
At Manchester Magistrates' Court, 42-year-old Hussain, from Manchester, pleaded guilty to failing to carry a guide dog, failing to wear his private hire driver’s badge, and failing to return his badge after his licence was revoked.
When questioned by council officers, Hussain claimed he had not realised the dog was a guide dog. However, at a later Licensing Sub Committee hearing, Hussain "admitted that he had no special conditions or allergies that would prevent him from taking a guide dog."
Councillors agreed he had "unlawfully discriminated against the customer"and revoked his licence.
At the Magistrates Court, Mr Hussain was fined £100 and ordered to pay £100 in compensation to the victim.
Councillor Rose Thompson, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Communities and Safety, commented on the outcome: “We thank this customer for bringing the matter to our attention."
She added: "On receiving the complaint, we were appalled at the discrimination faced by her. We are pleased that action has now been taken. Taxi drivers in Trafford are expected to uphold proper standards and abide by the law.”
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