Back to classroom for cabbies who refused to take guide dog in Milton Keynes

It follows an incident when a cab driver refused to pick up Colin Bradford and his son from Milton Keynes Hospital, because he was with his guide dog.

A further five drivers from the same company also refused the booking via an electronic system.

South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) interviewed the drivers under caution and issued each with a final warning.They also received nine penalty points on their Private Hire Drivers’ Licences and had to attend an equality training session covering the laws of the carriage of guide dogs.

“People that are vision impaired, and rely on a guide dog when out-and about, often use taxis to help them get to and from hospital appointments, their place of work and other social occasions,” said Joel Young, for Guide Dogs in MK, “Refusals like this are very distressing and can damage a person’s confidence.”