Man with skin infection ‘disgusted’ after taxi firm banned him because he is ‘smelly’
The boss of Andy Cars in Gloucester said the firm had the right to refuse any fare
A MAN with a skin infection has claimed he has been banned from a local taxi firm because he was “too smelly”.
Stephen Davis, 52, has cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection which can inflame the legs and break the skin.
Mr Davis, who also suffers from diabetes, has been having his condition treated since March 2018 and needs to visit his GP surgery three times a week using a taxi.
Mr Davis says that he has his dressings changed on Friday and when Monday comes around the bandages can be a little smelly.
But Mr Davis, from Gloucester, said he received a message this week saying he could not use his usual cab firm - because a driver had complained about his personal hygiene.
Mr Davis said: "When I got home on Monday night I had a voicemail on my landline and when I played it back it told me to ring the taxi number.
"When I called the operator told me that there was an issue of some sort.
"I was then told that I was banned from using Andy Cars due to my personal hygiene.
"I have had a problem with my legs for a while and I am being treated and due to see a specialist in March. I know that the dressing can smell a bit after the weekend.
"The smell is not my personal hygiene it is more that the bandages smell of damp as they get wet when I shower."
I was just disgusted with what they said and yes I did take offence. It is down to a medical condition
Cellulitis-sufferer Stephen Davis
Mr Davis claims that he explained to the taxi company that he has this medical condition but he was advised that the decision had been made.
When he then put in an official complaint with Gloucester City Council regarding his treatment he was told that the taxi company are within their rights to refuse a fare.
Mr Davis said: "I was just disgusted with what they said and yes I did take offence. It is down to a medical condition.
"I used the company every day and I needed to get from my house to the mobility shop so I could get the mobility scooter that I use each day to get around."
Taxi company Andy Cars say they took the decision to no longer transport Mr Davis.
The manager claims that they had told Mr Davis for some time that drivers were refusing to have him in their vehicles.
Andy Cars Gloucester manager John Taylor told : "The situation was that no-one wanted to take him.
"We suggested that the NHS may be able to transport him.
"Sometimes personal hygiene is a bit below what you would expect from some.
"If someone has a medical condition, the driver has the right to not take them.
"We have explained the situation and I have spoken to the council about the rules and they said it is our choice if we refuse to take a fare."
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Now Mr Davis is using alternative companies.
A private taxi firm does have the right to refuse any fare.
Gloucester City Council spokesperson said: ";There is nothing either in law or within the current council licensing policy that states or requires that a Private Hire Operator must accept a fare."
