Taxi Driver Online

A TAXI driver will find out this week if refusing to carry two guide dogs has cost him his livelihood.

Hackney carriage driver Abdul Shah has been summoned to appear before Lancaster City Council's licensing committee tomorrow (Thursday) after racking up 30 penalty points on his taxi licence.

Under council rules any driver with more than 20 points can have their licence suspended or revoked. Mr Shah ran into trouble after refusing to carry two guide dogs in his taxi, an offence against the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

He had been booked to carry members of a local blind group to and from a social event in Lancaster. But on seeing the guide dogs he is said to have refused to allow them in his taxi. The two owners complained to the council about their ill-treatment and Mr Shah was interviewed by two of the council's licensing enforcement officers.

"In that interview Mr Shah mentioned, quote: "(dogs), they are supposed to be dirty, it is a religious thing," explains a report to the committee.
"As members are aware, an exemption (against the DDA) on grounds of religion is not permissible."

Mr Shah was subsequently issued with a total of 30 penalty points; 20 for refusing to carry guide dogs, four for 'failing to behave in a civil and orderly manner' and six for failing to display a driver's badge.
Mr Shah has not appealed against the penalty points and now faces being stripped of his licence.

Why is it 'a lesson to you ALL'?

I refused a dog,saturday past,even although it was dark,no way with her face,she was sitting beside me.
Happy Chappy.

Joe Public

you are appauled at his treatment by the council.

I am appauled by his treatment of the blind

if he cannot do the job he is better out.

as you say let us hope is is a warning to all,

Good thing he's been banned.

Taxi drivers are taxi drivers full stop.

If people wanna start enforcing their religous beliefs into the taxi working environment, especially against disabled customers and their needs, then they should go to another country that accepts these outdated and discrimintive beliefs.

This person will definately not be missed by the trade.

Some of our taxi driving fellows,need to get a life or more so some manners and brains.


Regards,the Devils Advocate

what the hell does that mean?