MOBILITY MATTERS
BLIND MAN FROM HARROW WINS CASE AGAINST PHV DRIVER WHO REFUSED TRIP DUE TO GUIDE DOG
A visually impaired man has successfully prosecuted a private hire vehicle driver who refused his trip because he had a guide dog. Stephen Anderson, 33, who works as a public servant, has been the victim of numerous refusals by taxi and PHV drivers. Anderson, from Harrow, has begun recording these incidents and reporting them to TfL. The most recent incident, which has gone viral on social media, has garnered significant attention with over three million views
and
sparked public outrage. On 12 September, Stephen posted: “Yesterday, a driver was successfully prosecuted for refusing to take me and my guide dog Ava on 18th May 2024. He pleaded guilty and has 28 days to
themselves.” The victory in this case is not about personal gain for Anderson but rather about sending a clear message to drivers that they must comply with the law and accom- modate passengers with dis- abilities.
pay £550, which is a £200 fine, £250 costs and £100 victim surcharge. Thank you to @TfL @TfLTPH for their ongoing support with refusals.” He told Metro: “To be treated differently like this in public because of how I was born, makes me feel like a piece of scum. “I’m aware, however, that I have a social responsibility to disabled people who cannot stand up for
Anderson has had his guide dog, Ava, for 14 months and says that she has significantly improved his independence. Stephen has been very vocal about his encounters online, however shared that he sometimes questions whether he is doing the right thing by talking about it publicly. “I really hope I don’t discourage disabled people from coming forward for assistance dogs,” he added.
NEWPORT WOMAN ACCUSES TAXI DRIVERS OF DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION
A Newport woman who uses a wheelchair has accused taxi drivers in the city of discriminating against disabled people. Sophie Shuttleworth, 32, has experienced difficulties with both council-licensed hackney carriages and private hire companies. On a recent night out, Ms. Shuttleworth and a friend approached three wheelchair- accessible hackney carriages, only to be told they only accepted cash. When they approached another vehicle, the driver said he had to go “because someone in his family was unwell” and he drove off. Ms Shuttleworth believes that the
60 driver’ actions were private hire vehicles. discrimin-
atory and she also criticised the lack
of wheelchair-accessible
Newport City Council has stated that all hackney carriages have been required to be wheelchair accessible since 2007. A council spokesperson said: “We take all complaints about potential discrimination seriously and appropriate action is taken if the complaint is upheld. “In common with other councils, we cannot require private hire vehicles to be wheelchair accessible. “The Welsh Government has proposed making changes to the legislation in respect of accessibility in private hire vehicles and the council has fully supported this change.”
OCTOBER 2024 PHTM
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