Istanbul taxi driver fined after refusing to take disabled passenger

ISTANBUL

A taxi driver in Istanbul has been fined and banned from traffic for refusing to take a disabled passenger, local media reported.

The incident took place on the Büyükdere Avenue in Istanbul’s Levent district last week.

The driver reportedly turned away the disabled costumer who was waiting for a taxi on a pavement.

After media reports, police units tracked down and found the taxi driver. They took him to a police station to question him about the incident.

In his statement to the police, the driver claimed that the disabled individual was not a customer but had only asked for directions. The driver added that he did not take a second female passenger, who was also waiting for a taxi, because he was going to have dinner.

“People who recorded all this on camera filed a complaint against me. But there was a misunderstanding. Only passengers should report such incidents,” the driver said.

The driver and the owner of the taxi were fined a total of 1,706 Turkish Liras ($313) for violating several traffic rules. The fines were issued on the grounds that the permit to carry passengers had expired, the car was still in traffic even though it had failed to pass a vehicle inspection and the violation of rules concerning traffic safety.

The vehicle has also been banned from traffic until the owner of the car makes the necessary adjustments to fully comply with the regulations.