An award-winning taxi firm axed its service for disabled customers after new laws banned drivers from charging them more.
Wellman Cars informed its passengers who suffer disabilities they would no longer be picked up.
But council bosses have read the riot act to firms and warned the move is illegal.
It comes after a change in the law designed to help wheelchair users led to some cab companies threatening to take cars out of service altogether.
The legislation had made it clear that disabled people can’t be charged more for the same journeys as able-bodied customers.
But Wellman Cars, based in Hamilton, told disabled customers they now wouldn’t be able to get a service due to the extra costs involved.
South Lanarkshire Council then emailed every cab company in the area to tell them they face prosecution if they follow suit.
Wellman are Scotland’s Taxi Company of the Year, with director Clare Welsh picking up the award at a ceremony last year.
A social media post by the firm on Sunday mistakenly referred to Scottish legislation but the change to the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022 relates to all of the UK.
It states: “This is a service we know our customers and their families depend on however due to Scottish Government legislation this is a service we will have to possibly stop from Tuesday, June 28.”
The company said the cutback is due to large, wheelchair accessible vehicles costing more to buy and run and taking up more driver time.
Wellman added: “Our customers have always been happy to pay extra for the hire of this service.
“With the Scottish Government legislation, we are being told that such a pre-agreed charge is discrimination.”
One customer replied: “So let me get this right. You have been charging more to pick up disabled people who need a wheelchair accessible vehicle? And you think this right?”
The local authority’s email, which threatened to take rogue cars off the road, warned: “Any alleged non-compliance may be the subject of investigation and enforcement action by South Lanarkshire Council.
“If non-compliance is found to have taken place, this could involve a report being made to the Licensing Committee which could have potential consequences for the driver or operator, such as suspension or revocation of their licence.
“The offences include refusing to take a booking from a disabled person or making an additional charge for the driver carrying out any of the driver duties.”
Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy, who is a wheelchair user, said the cost of living for disabled people has always been hundreds of pounds higher.
She said: “Like everyone else, disabled people have a right to be able to get around, so it is right that they shouldn’t have to pay more to enjoy the same rights as someone else.”
But she added: “It is also important to recognise that taxi drivers are under extraordinary financial pressures, following two years with very little income.”
Wellman Cars was asked for comment but did not respond to the Record’s request.
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