A private hire driver has been fined £324 for refusing to take a fare that included a passenger and their assistance dog.
Milton Keynes City Council investigated after a complaint was made.
Krishnasamy Ananthan pleaded guilty to the offence at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court. He was fined £135, ordered to pay £135 in costs and a victim surcharge of £54.
The court heard that Ananthan deliberately refused to pick up a blind passenger who was accompanied by their guide dog.
Despite the booking clearly indicating the presence of the assistance dog, Ananthan chose to reject the fare. Magistrates concluded that he had the opportunity to refuse the booking in advance if he had a medical reason for doing so.
Ananthan’s driving licence will now be reviewed by Buckinghamshire Council, the authority that issued it.
Cllr Mick Legg, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, condemned Ananthan’s actions, stating that: “Refusing to take passengers with assistance dogs is not only illegal, but also deeply discriminatory.”
He emphasised that everyone has the right to access the same services and called on all taxi drivers to comply with the law and accommodate passengers according to their needs.
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