A Perth Paralympian is fed up, saying he was refused three Uber rides in one night because he was travelling with his guide dog.
Jeremy McClure has just two per cent vision and goes everywhere with his guide dog, Nina.
So he was shocked when he couldn’t catch an Uber to his nearest train station.
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“He said, ‘You didn’t book Uber Pet’ and I explained that she isn’t a pet. He reversed out the driveway and sped off,” McClure said.
The 38-year-old from Perth says not one but three drivers cancelled his ride in just one night two weeks ago.
But he got inside the third vehicle and out of frustration, refused to leave.
“He said, ‘you’re wasting my time and money, please get out of my vehicle’,” McClure told 9News.
After half an hour the Uber driver took the four-time Paralympian to Rockingham police station, where an officer ordered the Uber driver to take him where he needed to go.
Rockingham train station is just a 10-minute drive from McClure’s house but the whole ordeal lasted two distressing hours.
Jeremy McClure has just two per cent vision and goes everywhere with his guide dog, Nina.
Uber told 9News drivers “must comply with relevant laws on the transportation of riders with disabilities, including providing service to those with assistance animals.”
“Drivers receive training upon signup, as well as ongoing education,” a spokesperson said.
“If a driver refuses service, they must pass a knowledge check with 100 per cent success to regain access to the platform.
“A second refusal may result in permanent loss of access to the Uber driver app.”
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“Uber need to pull their finger out because this can’t be happening, I’ve had five drivers in two weeks. That’s an absolute joke,” McClure said.
In a bizarre twist, the 38-year-old’s Uber account was suspended days later.
“The driver had complained I was physically and sexually abusive,” he said.
McClure said he was “furious” and the accusation was “just a complete lie. Fabrication”.
He wants tougher penalties imposed and better education on Australia’s discrimination laws.
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