Victory against taxi discrimination
Transport for All Chair, Deborah Persaud, has been victorious in a court case against a taxi driver who refused to allow her and her guide dog Betty to travel.

The taxi driver committed the offence against Deborah after she booked an Addison Lee cab to attend a party she’d arranged for her friend’s 50th birthday. She added a note explaining that she would be travelling with her guide dog, Betty. When the driver arrived, he refused to let her travel with her guide dog. When she challenged him, he sped off.
The driver seemed to underestimate the consequences of his behaviour – he’d provoked a disability rights campaigner – the Chair of Transport for All. Deborah reported the incident and pursued it through Transport for London.
At a court case in early January 2025 the taxi driver pleaded guilty. He was fined, and the offence was placed on his taxi licence review. Deborah’s story of securing justice appeared across the media.

What to expect from taxi drivers
- It is illegal for taxi drivers to refuse services to disabled people, including those of us travelling with assistance dogs.
- Taxi drivers must provide a service to any disabled person who could ‘reasonably travel’ in their vehicle.
- Drivers must provide ‘reasonable mobility assistance’ – help to get in and out of taxis with mobility aids.
- Help must be provided without charge, for example a taxi meter should only start once everyone and their mobility aids are on board.
Despite these legal protections, in our research, over a quarter of disabled people had recently been refused access when trying to travel by taxi (including private hire vehicles / mini cabs). 15% of disabled people had been charged more than non-disabled people, for example to put a wheelchair in a taxi.
This is against the law. Discriminating against disabled people is unacceptable, and most of the British public agree – for example 82% say they would have a negative view of a business or service they saw turning away a disabled person with a guide dog.
We’re here if you want to complain or campaign
People like Deborah show that challenging discrimination has an impact – if you can face it. We know it can be exhausting. It’s not always easy to tell when a taxi driver has seen you then ignored you, or whip out a phone to take picture and trace them. If you want justice, but can’t face the administration, Transport for All advice line can assist with complaints. Give us a ring or drop us an e-mail
Transport for All also works to change the way disabled people are treated by the transport system. We push politicians, local authorities, and transport companies to apply the law and adopt good practice in transport services. We won’t stop until we can all travel with freedom confidence and ease. Sign up to join the disabled movement for transport justice.
Take action

Do you want to campaign?
Transport for All is transforming the transport system so disabled people can make the journeys we want, with freedom, dignity, ease and confidence.

We’re here if you want to complain
If you want justice, but can't face the administration, Transport for All advice line can pick up a complaint up for you.