Press Centre

Mini cab driver breaks the law

Summary: Driver is fined for refusing to carry a guide dog in his taxi.

• Notes to Editors

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06 October 2006

A contract hire mini cab driver called by the BBC to collect a blind woman Jane Vernon (39) and her guide dog after she appeared on BBC News 24 in London on Oct 13 2005, has been ordered to pay £1,400 for refusing to take the dog.

Mr Majekodunmi, who works for Niven & Co, a cab company contracted by the BBC, remained unrepentant saying he would still refuse to take guide dogs in his mini cab.

Jane Vernon, who is a Legal Officer at the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) said: "This experience was very upsetting indeed. I'd been working in the office all day and was asked to come out to do a live mid evening interview with BBC News 24. Afterwards, I was tired, and cold and just wanted to get home. The driver made me feel like I was a second-class citizen, like I didn't count at all."

Bill Alker, a spokesperson from RNIB said: "This kind of situation happens too often to blind and partially sighted people. It's absolutely wrong and must stop. Many drivers, cab company operators and the authorities that provide licences are together flouting a good law that was introduced to help blind and partially sighted people get about more independently.”

Alker continued: “Drivers who commit the offence of refusing to take an assistance dog can face loosing their licence and a fine of up to £1,000. Very few cases, however, have gone to court mainly because victims must have the support of the area licensing authority which has the power to bring a prosecution or discipline the driver.

Many blind people rely on taxis to get around. Not being able to get access to this kind of service is completely wrong and can affect their independence and confidence. In many cases this causes real problems in their work, educational and social life.”

Jane Vernon added: "I am relatively pleased with the outcome of this case. I would like to thank the Public Carriage Office (Licensing Authority) in London for pursuing this matter on my behalf, and I would like to encourage other licensing authorities around the country to start taking these incidents more seriously.”

She added: "The owner of the Minicab firm, Niven Sinclair, was very insensitive, telling me that what had happened wasn't really very important. I feel that Mr Majekodunmi and Mr Sinclair have shown very little respect for my rights as a disabled person and over a period of eleven months have never offered me an apology."

For more information contact Bill Alker or Paul McDonald at the RNIB Press Office tel 020 7391 2223. Out of hours 07396 482812.

Notes to Editors

1. The incident took place at BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane, London on October 13. BBC News 24 provided Miss Vernon with a written apology as soon as they heard what had happened to her.

2. On Thursday 5 October at Marylebone Magistrates Court, 181 Marylebone Road, London, Mr MAJEKODUNMI, the driver of a private higher vehicle, was convicted of a charge, brought under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, of refusing to carry out a booking made by, or on behalf of, a disabled person on the grounds that: The disabled person was accompanied by her assistance dog.

3. A taxi driver can refuse to take an assistance dog if they can prove a medical exemption for which they are required to have and display a medical certificate.

Content author: pressoffice@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 08/04/2008 18:38