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Guide dog refusal costs taxi firm's licence

A TAXI firm which left a blind pensioner stranded in the rain when it refused to carry her guide dog has been stripped of its licence.

However, Four Star Taxis, Lonsdale Street, Nelson, will still be able to operate for at least another three weeks while its appeal is heard.

And despite the action, Kitsar Iqbal, of Four Star Taxis, has insisted the firm would not be changing its policy over guide dogs.

Coun Marjorie Adams, chairman of Pendle Council's taxi licensing committee, said the decision had been taken to reassure residents.

She added: "Following a complaint about a Four Star driver refusing to carry a guide dog, the decision has been made to revoke Four Star's operator's licence.

"This decision has not been taken lightly, especially given the busy time of year, but this outcome reflects the seriousness in which we view the allegations.

"Pendle Taxi Association is concerned about the effect this incident may have had on its image and it is hoped that this decision provides reassurance to people."

A Four Star driver refused to pick up Brenda Midgeley, 66, and her guide dog, Lucy, from the Carters' and Motormen's Club, Nelson, nearly two weeks ago.

Mrs Midgeley, of Bedfordshire Avenue, Burnley, had been organising a Christmas party for people with sight difficulties at the club when she called the taxi.

Mrs Midgeley, who only has residual vision after losing her sight 16 years ago, said the driver refused to allow her to travel because Lucy, seven, would get hairs on the seats.

She claimed the driver then radioed the cab office who told the driver to refuse the fare.

After the incident Mr Iqbal said Mrs Midgeley should have informed them she had a guide dog so managers could have sent an older car.

The order was served on Friday and Four Star now has 21 days to appeal.

Following that process, the firm would also be allowed to operate until an appeal was heard by a magistrates' court.

Mr Iqbal said the company had not changed its policy about carrying guide dogs.

He said: "We are going to take them to court and I have been to see my solicitor already.

"We have 21 days to appeal and the solicitor has appealed on my behalf.

"We have not changed our policy."

Author:	captain cab [ Thu Dec 21, 2006 12:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Guide dog refusal costs taxi firm's licence
Guide dog refusal costs taxi firm's licence A TAXI firm which left a blind pensioner stranded in the rain when it refused to carry her guide dog has been stripped of its licence. However, Four Star Taxis, Lonsdale Street, Nelson, will still be able to operate for at least another three weeks while its appeal is heard. And despite the action, Kitsar Iqbal, of Four Star Taxis, has insisted the firm would not be changing its policy over guide dogs. Coun Marjorie Adams, chairman of Pendle Council's taxi licensing committee, said the decision had been taken to reassure residents. She added: "Following a complaint about a Four Star driver refusing to carry a guide dog, the decision has been made to revoke Four Star's operator's licence. "This decision has not been taken lightly, especially given the busy time of year, but this outcome reflects the seriousness in which we view the allegations. "Pendle Taxi Association is concerned about the effect this incident may have had on its image and it is hoped that this decision provides reassurance to people." A Four Star driver refused to pick up Brenda Midgeley, 66, and her guide dog, Lucy, from the Carters' and Motormen's Club, Nelson, nearly two weeks ago. Mrs Midgeley, of Bedfordshire Avenue, Burnley, had been organising a Christmas party for people with sight difficulties at the club when she called the taxi. Mrs Midgeley, who only has residual vision after losing her sight 16 years ago, said the driver refused to allow her to travel because Lucy, seven, would get hairs on the seats. She claimed the driver then radioed the cab office who told the driver to refuse the fare. After the incident Mr Iqbal said Mrs Midgeley should have informed them she had a guide dog so managers could have sent an older car. The order was served on Friday and Four Star now has 21 days to appeal. Following that process, the firm would also be allowed to operate until an appeal was heard by a magistrates' court. Mr Iqbal said the company had not changed its policy about carrying guide dogs. He said: "We are going to take them to court and I have been to see my solicitor already. "We have 21 days to appeal and the solicitor has appealed on my behalf. "We have not changed our policy."

Author:	GMB Branch secretary [ Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:39 pm ]
Post subject:
Looks like the ban will be permanent then good!

Author:	JD [ Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:03 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Guide dog refusal costs taxi firm's licence
captain cab wrote: Mr Iqbal said the company had not changed its policy about carrying guide dogs. He said: "We are going to take them to court and I have been to see my solicitor already. You mean you are going to take them to court and lose? Quote: "We have 21 days to appeal and the solicitor has appealed on my behalf. Obviously his solicitor is more interested in taking his money rather than giving him sound advice? This man is heading for a hard lesson in both licensing and Disability discrimination law. In three month time we will be saying I told you so. Perhaps someone should send this operator a link to TDO just so he knows what is set to befall him if he carries on down the road he is travelling? Quote: "We have not changed our policy." You will! Regards JD

Author:	Sussex [ Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:53 pm ]
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Blind woman welcomes taxi decision A BLIND pensioner has welcomed the decision to withdraw the licence of a taxi firm that refused to let her guide dog on board. And Brenda Midgeley said she hoped that what had happened to Nelson-based Four Star Taxis would serve as a warning to other companies. The firm lost its licence after leaving Mrs Midgeley, 66, of Bedfordshire Avenue, Burnley, and her guide dog Lucy stranded in the rain. Four Star is allowed to operate during a 21-day period it has to appeal against the decision. And owner Adnan Iqbal said last week that he would fight Pendle Council through the courts and would not be changing the policy of refusing to allow dogs in cabs. The firm was criticised for this stance by the Pendle Taxi Association and the Royal National Institute for the Blind. The policy even broke the Disability Discrimination Act. But despite all this uproar, bosses at the firm said they would not give lifts to any dogs because they left hair on the seats. Mrs Midgeley was trying to get home after a Christmas party for Burnley and Pendle Society for the Blind which she had organised with her husband Joe. She said that she would have been happy to forget the matter if the company had apologised. Mrs Midgeley said: "If they had given me a public apology and maybe made a donation to the guide dog association, that would have been okay. "But they have just made all kinds of different excuses and been totally unrepentant. "I hope what is happening to them is an example and a warning to everyone else because I have had lots of guide dog owners contacting me to say that the same thing has happened to them. "I hope Pendle Council takes this all the way because it is a really important issue which needs to be sorted out. "I have had lots of support - people have been stopping me in the street and saying how disgusted they are about what the company did. "People are just so surprised that this sort of thing is happening." Mr Iqbal was unavailable for comment yesterday, but another driver at the firm said Four Star would be going ahead with plans to fight the decision.

Author:	Sussex [ Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:55 pm ]
Post subject:
Sussex wrote: Mrs Midgeley said: "If they had given me a public apology and maybe made a donation to the guide dog association, that would have been okay. "But they have just made all kinds of different excuses and been totally unrepentant". A very reasonable lady dealing with a very un-reasonable taxi/PH firm.

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Author:	GBC [ Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:54 pm ]
Post subject:
GMB Branch secretary wrote: Looks like the ban will be permanent then good! Oh look, something I can support you on Terrence.

Author:	GMB Branch secretary [ Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:24 pm ]
Post subject:
So your getting clever? Surely you have realised that on many issues were not far apart? UP THE REPUBLIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Author:	GBC [ Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:07 pm ]
Post subject:
GMB Branch secretary wrote: So your getting clever? Surely you have realised that on many issues were not far apart? UP THE REPUBLIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well apart from Political parties, Moral values, choice of industry, belief in the monarchy, religion, race issues . . . . God, we could be twins?

Author:	Guest [ Sat Dec 30, 2006 10:21 pm ]
Post subject:
i think youy will only be happy when you have classsed everyoine on here a racist. im pretty sure we have all races and creeds and colours on tdo. but the only one mentioning racists is a white cockney [edited by admin].

Author:	MR T [ Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:32 pm ]
Post subject:
Cgull wrote: i think youy will only be happy when you have classsed everyoine on here a racist. im pretty sure we have all races and creeds and colours on tdo. but the only one mentioning racists is a white cockney [edited by admin].

Author:	jasbar [ Sun Dec 31, 2006 2:25 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Guide dog refusal costs taxi firm's licence
captain cab wrote: Guide dog refusal costs taxi firm's licence A TAXI firm which left a blind pensioner stranded in the rain when it refused to carry her guide dog has been stripped of its licence. However, Four Star Taxis, Lonsdale Street, Nelson, will still be able to operate for at least another three weeks while its appeal is heard. And despite the action, Kitsar Iqbal, of Four Star Taxis, has insisted the firm would not be changing its policy over guide dogs. Coun Marjorie Adams, chairman of Pendle Council's taxi licensing committee, said the decision had been taken to reassure residents. She added: "Following a complaint about a Four Star driver refusing to carry a guide dog, the decision has been made to revoke Four Star's operator's licence. "This decision has not been taken lightly, especially given the busy time of year, but this outcome reflects the seriousness in which we view the allegations. "Pendle Taxi Association is concerned about the effect this incident may have had on its image and it is hoped that this decision provides reassurance to people." A Four Star driver refused to pick up Brenda Midgeley, 66, and her guide dog, Lucy, from the Carters' and Motormen's Club, Nelson, nearly two weeks ago. Mrs Midgeley, of Bedfordshire Avenue, Burnley, had been organising a Christmas party for people with sight difficulties at the club when she called the taxi. Mrs Midgeley, who only has residual vision after losing her sight 16 years ago, said the driver refused to allow her to travel because Lucy, seven, would get hairs on the seats. She claimed the driver then radioed the cab office who told the driver to refuse the fare. After the incident Mr Iqbal said Mrs Midgeley should have informed them she had a guide dog so managers could have sent an older car. The order was served on Friday and Four Star now has 21 days to appeal. Following that process, the firm would also be allowed to operate until an appeal was heard by a magistrates' court. Mr Iqbal said the company had not changed its policy about carrying guide dogs. He said: "We are going to take them to court and I have been to see my solicitor already. "We have 21 days to appeal and the solicitor has appealed on my behalf. "We have not changed our policy." A clear case that taxis should be taxis. That is, real taxis. You konw the ones I mean, the hackney types. Seems we've all been seduced into believing that any battered old saloon is a taxi. It obviously not. Which sets me wondering why here in Edinburgh our erstwhile council has been suppressing demand for the real thing while satisfying increased demand for taxis to private hire. We have around one hundred people who have waited on an "interested parties list" (no legal status) for around 15 years (which has been closed since 1994). In that time 150 licences have been issued from it. Yet private hire has multipled froam around 100 to well over 800 today. It's no coincidence that there are well known ph influences in our council, where councillors have direct involvement in the ph trade. Indeed, the former convenor of the regulatory committee resigned to pursue his "career" with a major ph company. Now, call me naive, but doesn't it seem likely that reason no taxi licences were issued on his watch, a watch which conveniently saw the Jacob survey confirm that "no extra taxi licences were needed because their was no significant unmet demand", was because he obviously was already working his personal interest? I would query whether this is little more than naked council corruption? Meanwhile, we in the taxi trade in Edinburgh have lost the numerical presence which established our previously good record for service quality? Now people think taxi, they're just as likely to take a ph. New labour, new con, new vestwed interest, means we're on the back foot. It's time to fight back.

Author:	Sussex [ Sun Dec 31, 2006 7:02 pm ]
Post subject:
I've always been of the opinion that whilst existing taxi plate holders take the lead in defending taxi quotas, PH operators aren't that far behind them. I mean they wouldn't want drivers to be able to plan their own futures would they?

Author:	Sussex [ Thu Aug 09, 2007 4:16 pm ]
Post subject:
Hmmmmmmmm. Lucky lucky lucky

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Author:	GMB Branch secretary [ Sat Dec 30, 2006 10:16 pm ]
Post subject:
GBC iknow nothing of your morals, poltical parties havnt as yet seen you back ANY . Religion didnt know you had one except GREED. Choice of industry.we are both part of the transport industry. No dont see any agreement on the PONCES. Racial issues suspect your a racist, care to admit it or deny it? Maybe your right not much agreement.My mistake thinking you were heading in the human direction. UP THE REPUBLIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!