Denying access over guide dogs will hit hip pocket

Guide dog user Sarah Hirst knows what it’s like to have a cab door slammed in her – and labrador Zali’s – face, so the NSW Government is raising fines for those who discriminate.

Sarah Hirst and her guide dog Zali with taxi driver Shawon Bar at Central Station in Sydney. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Long-time guide dog user and disability advocate Sarah Hirst knows what it’s like to have a cab door slammed in her – and labrador Zali’s – face.

The Sydney resident said it’s been a “mixed bag” navigating taxis and rideshares as a legally blind person over the years, but the negative experiences have left her discouraged.

“It can be something just walking up to the taxi rank and having the cabs drive away, which is a really hard one to prove, but it’s happened when I’ve had sighted friends with me,” Ms Hirst said.

“To opening the door and just having straight out access denials, which can be quite spirited if someone doesn’t want the dog in the car, or doesn’t believe the dog is allowed in the car – they can hold that position quite passionately.”

Ms Hirst is not alone. Blind people with assistance animals are unjustly denied rides and blatantly turned away by rideshares and taxis on a daily basis according to Guide Dogs NSW and other disability groups whose call to raise fines for those who discriminate has been answered by the government.

Sarah Hirst and Zali with taxi driver Shawon Bar and NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The fine for drivers providing passenger services who refuse transport to anyone with assistance animals has increased from $300 to $1000. The offence will also now carry a maximum court penalty of $3300.

While the majority of drivers do the right thing, the small minority breaking the rules have impacted Ms Hirst in many ways – emotionally, physically, and practically, stopping her going to work.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said refusing service to vulnerable members of the community was a critical safety issue.

“There are around 300 working guide dogs in NSW, and they are not an optional extra,” she said. “Vision impaired Sydney-riders have the right to access rideshare and taxis – it is a public transport service.”