Taxi driver turned down customer with guide dog

AGWYNEDD taxi driver had his licence suspended for a week after refusing to transport a visually impaired passenger who had a guide dog.

The suspension came to light at the council’s licensing committee amid confirmation that the authority is continuing to clamp down on taxi drivers who “cherry-pick” passengers to try to land bigger fares.

The “serious” incident saw an unidentified taxi driver refuse to transport the “vulnerable” member of the public as the intended journey was “too short”.

Meeting in Caernarfon, the general licensing committee rubber-stamped a rise in the maximum Hackney taxi fare.

The move, which was initially discussed and recommended in

of action being taken after raising concerns about such complaints in his ward.

He added: “I have received complaints of drivers refusing to take short fares as they want longer, better-paying journeys.

“Are we producing enough publicity so that the public know who they should complain to when this happens?”

Officers noted that most complaints involved taxi firms complaining about rival companies, but “very little” evidence was being presented.

Despite this, they were “convinced” that it was happening, hence the council crackdown on the “unfair” practice.

According to Gwynedd Council, “cherry-picking” usually happens late at night and into the early morning, but is on the rise in the county.

Speaking in December, Councillor Dafydd Meurig said: “Taxi drivers who ‘cherry-pick’ passengers in an attempt to land bigger fares face having their licences revoked.

“That’s the message we as a council are sending out, having received numerous complaints from members of the public who are being refused short journeys in some areas of the county.

“Only a minority of taxi drivers in Gwynedd ‘cherry-pick’ customers, giving the taxi industry a bad name.

“This illegal practice not only endangers the safety of customers but also undermines the efforts of private hire and taxi drivers who work hard and operate within the law to deliver a high-quality service in Gwynedd.”

Anyone refused a short journey is asked to take a photo of the registration plate or the licence plate, the location and time and send it to licensing@gwynedd.llyw. cymru.