The story of a visually-impaired woman’s guide dog being refused by a New World First Bus driver has gone viral, with many netizens decrying the bus driver’s actions.
Inti, a visually-impaired woman, reportedly tried to board the 116 bus to Tsz Wan Shan with her family and guide dog, Nana, in Fortress Hill last Friday evening. Inti’s sister, who wrote the viral Facebook post, said that the driver stood up when he saw Nana, and refused to let her on board, saying that she would scare other passengers.
Despite another passenger clarifying that guide dogs are, in fact, allowed on buses, the driver apparently refused to concede. However, he did not physically restrict them from boarding, and the group rode the bus until Hung Hom. As they were leaving, Inti’s husband reportedly questioned the driver again about his behaviour, and was answered “dogs are not allowed on buses”.
Nana, as a trained guide dog, is legally allowed in public places (including transportation), and anyone who stops guide dogs from entering public places is in risk of violating the Disability Discrimination Ordinance.
Speaking to Hong Kong Free Press, a spokesperson for NWFB has confirmed they have launched an internal investigation, and said that “guide dogs accompanying blind people are exempted” from the Public Bus Services Regulations, which says drivers should not allow animals on buses. The spokesperson also said that NWFB has trained drivers to take care of passengers with disabilities.
Photo: Facebook
