Taxi Driver Online

I don't think we covered this one from last year.
____________________

June 5, 2008 Thursday

Cabbie's snub to blind woman

A TAXI driver has been fined for refusing to pick up a blind pensioner and her guide dog - because he had just cleaned his car.

Great grandmother Janet Plechaty ordered a cab to collect her from the taxi rank outside the Eastgate shopping centre, Basildon, after going shopping with her daughter.

Wayne Wilson, 45, turned up, but refused to let her into his taxi with her golden retriever.

It meant the pair had to wait in the pouring rain for another one.

Mrs Plechaty, 64, complained to Basildon Council's taxi licensing authority and Wilson was taken to court, where he was ordered to pay £175 in fines and costs.

Mrs Plechaty of Rayside, Basildon, said: "I couldn't believe it.

"He told me sorry I can't take him, because I've just cleaned my car'. He ordered me another taxi, but I had to wait for it in the rain.

"I wouldn't have got any satisfaction if he had lost his job, but he couldn't have engaged his brain that day. Blind and partially sighted people shouldn't have to put up with that sort of thing.

"My dog is a lot cleaner than some humans who get in taxis."

Father-of-four Wilson, of Peterborough Way, Basildon, was prosecuted by the taxi licensing authority.

He pleaded guilty during a hearing at Basildon Magistrates' Court.

He was fined £60 and ordered to pay £100 costs and £15 to the court's victim support fund.

Mrs Plechaty, who has no sight in her right eye and tunnel vision in her left, is registered blind.

Wilson, who drives his taxi in Basildon, said: "I would like to apologise to her. It was a spur of the moment decision that I have regretted since and I'm just glad it's all over now.

"I have an allergy to dogs, so having one in the car makes my eyes stream like hay fever."

Phil Easteal, manager of Environmental Health at Basildon Council, said: "Disabled residents rely on taxis and minicabs to maintain their independence.

"It is illegal, under the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act, for drivers to refuse to carry guide dogs."
______________________________

I assume he has a doctors letter to confirm his allergy!

_________________
Grandad,

ive got an allergy to work

_________________
Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

It must be catching because I spend as much time on here as you do.

_________________
Grandad,

I've got an allergy to 'dead heads' but it doesn't stop me picking them up. Think I'd be skint if I didn't

_________________
Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

If he had, he could've got an exemption certificate and LEGALLY declined the job.

As he could'nt be arsed to get one hes got himself a criminal record. Wuckfit.

_________________
Former taxi driver

If that were the case, why not say so instead of moaning about his car just being cleaned?


Up here, we can't pick up a pre booked hire within 50 meters of a rank.

_________________

http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Nothing to stop you doing that, regardless if the council say so or anyone else for that matter

The punter ordered the cab so the punter is entitled to get it where they want it as long as you can legally drive to and from that pick up point

From Aberdeen's Taxi driver licence conditions:

_________________

http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

That says your not allowed to pick up a flag down, it does not say you cannot pick up a pree book and your allowed to do that

EG, Mrs whoever has done all here shopping and also has a large item she cannot carry far so she calls Mr Guss that you, you come along and pick her up and jobs a good one she was stood at the front of the rank for good measure

No, it says I can't do any of the following within 50 meters of a rank:

Park.
Stop.
Ply for hire.

Why not just take the first cab off the rank?

_________________

http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

No mention of pick up

Would that not be covered by STOP?

_________________
Grandad,

Unless his punter and guide dog jump in while he's moving

_________________

http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Not in Skippys Patch..its safer to pick up on the Move...