10/11/2006

Cardiff Council Public Protection Committee has resolved to revoke the licence of a driver who refused to carry a visually impaired passenger accompanied by his guide dog.

Cardiff Council has for many years required licensed taxi drivers to carry passengers accompanied by a guide dog. The Disability Discrimination Act subsequently made it compulsory for a licensed taxi driver to accept a passenger with a guide, hearing and other assistance dog.

Councillor Brian Griffiths, Chair of the Public Protection Committee, said: “The Committee were very concerned that any of its licensed drivers could refuse to accept a hiring from a visually impaired person simply because they were accompanied by a guide dog. This is unacceptable and I hope that the decision taken by the Committee will send out this message to all licensed drivers.�

Section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 required licensed taxi drivers to carry guide dogs as from 31 March 2001.

The only exemption which may be granted is on medical grounds, and licensed drivers who are allergic or have a chronic phobia of dogs may be exempted by the authority if they produce medical evidence of their condition.