Two private hire drivers were ordered to pay a combined total of £1,878 in fines, costs and compensation after refusing to collect passengers travelling with assistance dogs in separate incidents in Milton Keynes.
Both cases were heard at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court last month, following investigations by Milton Keynes City Council.
In the first case, Buckinghamshire Council‑licensed driver Onyekwelu Davidson refused to pick up a local resident from a restaurant in the city centre.
A city council investigation found that he drove past the customer and her assistance dog without making any attempt to stop or locate her. He pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 170(3) of the Equality Act 2010 and was ordered to pay £1,144 in fines, victim surcharge and costs. Buckinghamshire Council has been informed of the outcome and will now review his licence.
In the second case, Amir Dahab licensed by Milton Keynes City Council accepted a booking to take a resident from her home to Milton Keynes University Hospital before refusing to pick her up because she was travelling with an assistance dog.
He also pleaded guilty under Section 170(3) of the Equality Act 2010 and was ordered to pay £734 in fines, victim surcharge and costs.
Under the Equality Act 2010, private hire and taxi drivers must carry assistance dogs and cannot refuse a booking or charge extra for doing so.
“Residents who use assistance dogs depend on them every day, and they should never be put in a position where they feel excluded or discriminated against," said Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Cllr Mick Legg, "The law is there to protect their independence and ensure they can travel safely. If anyone experiences this kind of treatment, please get in touch so we can investigate.”
