2024-02-01
The complainant alleged the respondent taxi driver at a taxi rank refused to take his fare because he was accompanied by an assistance animal.
The taxi driver said he did not take the complainant’s fare because it would mean he would be late for a pre-arranged booking.
The complaint was resolved through conciliation. The taxi driver had undergone training on discrimination and customer service and expressed regret for declining the complainant’s fare. The taxi driver agreed to make a $250 donation in the complainant’s name to a charity that assists people with assistance animals and provides training and awareness raising to the public. The taxi company agreed to consult the charity on suitable training materials for its drivers to increase awareness of appropriate conduct towards passengers with disability accompanied by assistance animals.
Year
Discrimination type
Disability Discrimination Act
Grounds
Assistance animal
Disability
Areas
Goods, services and facilities
- Apology - Private;
- Donation to charity;
- Named individual(s) to undertake anti-discrimination/EEO training
Amount
$250