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.
"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."
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."