Private hire driver refused Paralympian and guide dog
● Gold medallist on trip to palace is ‘disgusted’ by move
A private hire driver has been suspended over claims he denied service to a Paralympic cycling champion and her guide dog.
Gold medallist Lora Fachie said she felt “disgusted” when the driver “flat out refused” to transport her and dog Tai from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre on Wednesday evening.
The visually-impaired athlete – who won gold in the individual pursuit at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro – was visiting the city to hand out hundreds of Duke of Edinburgh Awards to youngsters in a ceremony at Holyrood Palace.
The driver reportedly claimed to have an allergy to dogs, meaning he was unable to take the passengers.
Edinburgh City Private Hire have since confirmed the driver concerned has been suspended pending an internal investigation.
Mrs Fachie said the denial of services to guide dog owners was a common problem.
She said: “It makes you feel like a lesser human being, but it is something that happens on a regular basis. I think it is a combination of people maybe not being aware and just being ignorant to the challenges we face with our dogs.
“I was fortunate in a way that it happened in such a public place, a lot of the other drivers realised what had happened and were really good about it.”
She added: “I’m glad to hear the company has taken some action. It shows they are taking things seriously, but I think more education is needed about the law surrounding taking us as passengers.”
Under the Equality Act 2010, it is illegal for operators or drivers of any taxi or private hire firm to refuse to carry assistance dogs or to charge more for the fare or booking.
Drivers convicted of the offence could be fined up to £1,000 and have their licence removed.
Exemption certificates can be granted by local licensing authorities if it is proven a driver is medically unable to take on passengers with guide dogs. However, this must be displayed in an “accessible” place, such as on the windscreen or dashboard.
A spokesman for the private hire firm apologised to Mrs Fachie, adding the driver of the car had been “personally reported by one of the directors”.
He added: “Our airport staff immediately dispatched the job to the second available vehicle rather than the lady be delayed any further. “