Taxi driver deliberately declined blind passenger fare.
A private hire driver has been fined £324 after being found guilty of refusing to take a fare that included a passenger and his assistance dog.
Milton Keynes City Council investigated after a complaint was made.
Krishnasamy Ananthan pleaded guilty to refusing to take an assistance dog last year. He was fined £135, a further £135 towards trial costs and a victim surcharge of £54 at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court
The Court found that the defendant acted deliberately in not picking up the blind passenger with the assistance dog. Magistrates concluded that the booking would have shown that there was a guide dog accompanying the passenger, and that the driver could have known that before accepting the fare. This meant there was opportunity to reject the fare in advance if he had a medical reason for doing so.
Mr Ananthan’s licence will now be reviewed by Buckinghamshire Council, where it was issued, in accordance with its policies.
“Refusing to take passengers with assistance dogs is not only illegal, but also deeply discriminatory,” said Cllr Mick Legg, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services.
“Everyone has the right to access the same services, and I hope this case serves as a reminder that all taxi drivers are expected to comply with the law and accommodate passengers according to their needs.”
