Blind man barred from train (copied from Edinburgh Evening News paper)
A BLIND man was stranded miles from home after being prevented from boarding a train - because his guide dog "might have fleas".
Mark McClenaghan who was unable to board the sleeper from Aberdeen to Edinburgh with his dog Friday, wants an apology and compensation from rail bosses.
He had to catch a later train to Perth on Tuesday evening, and then pay out £95 for a taxi to his home in Dalry.
First Scotrail is investigating his complaint. The firm says it has clear guidelines for staff and guide dogs are welcome on all trains.
Mr McClenaghan, 36, told the News he missed the last regular train at 9.23pm because he had to wait for assistance at the ticket barrier.
He said he then tried to board the seated carriage in the sleeper train, which was due to leave shortly afterwards.
Mr McClenaghan, who has a free travel pass for Scotland as he is registered blind, said: "The guard told me I couldn't get on because my dog was a health risk. It might pass on fleas, germs or mites.
"She said this was the only seated carriage on the train, and if someone was allergic or afraid of dogs, they couldn't move to another one.
"She even said they would have to book a deep cleaning team to clean the train afterward.
"I couldn't believe it. I said this was a guide dog, not a pet. It's certified by the Health and Safety Executive to enter any establishment as a mobility aid. I shouldn't be penalised.
"I asked to speak to the station manager, but he reiterated what the guard had said. He even questioned my disability.
"I'm 95 per cent blind and Friday was clearly wearing a harness. I couldn't believe the sheer ignorance.
"I've travelled all over Scotland and never had this problem before.
"In the end I had to get on a Perth train, then pay for a taxi to Edinburgh.
"I got home at 1.30am, when I should've got home at 11.30pm."
He added: "The irony is I broke my leg in June falling off a train. I could hardly walk for months, so my dog was being looked after in Aberdeen. I had just gone up to fetch her."
A First ScotRail spokesman said the claims were being investigated and they will respond directly to Mr McClenaghan in full.
"Our policy is to make services accessible to everyone, to provide all necessary assistance and to enable guide dog owners to travel safely," she said.
"People with guide dogs are welcome on our services and they have Scotland-wide free travel at all times.
"There are clear guidelines in place and we expect these to be followed at all times."
A spokeswoman for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association said it was illegal to discriminate against guide dog owners.
She said: "It is against the Disability Rights Act to refuse a guide dog access to any public place or public transport.
"Guide dogs and their owners should be treated the same way as any other user. All guide dogs are given a certificate of health and safety and do not pose any risk."
A BLIND man was stranded miles from home after being prevented from boarding a train - because his guide dog "might have fleas".
Mark McClenaghan who was unable to board the sleeper from Aberdeen to Edinburgh with his dog Friday, wants an apology and compensation from rail bosses.
He had to catch a later train to Perth on Tuesday evening, and then pay out £95 for a taxi to his home in Dalry.
First Scotrail is investigating his complaint. The firm says it has clear guidelines for staff and guide dogs are welcome on all trains.
Mr McClenaghan, 36, told the News he missed the last regular train at 9.23pm because he had to wait for assistance at the ticket barrier.
He said he then tried to board the seated carriage in the sleeper train, which was due to leave shortly afterwards.
Mr McClenaghan, who has a free travel pass for Scotland as he is registered blind, said: "The guard told me I couldn't get on because my dog was a health risk. It might pass on fleas, germs or mites.
"She said this was the only seated carriage on the train, and if someone was allergic or afraid of dogs, they couldn't move to another one.
"She even said they would have to book a deep cleaning team to clean the train afterward.
"I couldn't believe it. I said this was a guide dog, not a pet. It's certified by the Health and Safety Executive to enter any establishment as a mobility aid. I shouldn't be penalised.
"I asked to speak to the station manager, but he reiterated what the guard had said. He even questioned my disability.
"I'm 95 per cent blind and Friday was clearly wearing a harness. I couldn't believe the sheer ignorance.
"I've travelled all over Scotland and never had this problem before.
"In the end I had to get on a Perth train, then pay for a taxi to Edinburgh.
"I got home at 1.30am, when I should've got home at 11.30pm."
He added: "The irony is I broke my leg in June falling off a train. I could hardly walk for months, so my dog was being looked after in Aberdeen. I had just gone up to fetch her."
A First ScotRail spokesman said the claims were being investigated and they will respond directly to Mr McClenaghan in full.
"Our policy is to make services accessible to everyone, to provide all necessary assistance and to enable guide dog owners to travel safely," she said.
"People with guide dogs are welcome on our services and they have Scotland-wide free travel at all times.
"There are clear guidelines in place and we expect these to be followed at all times."
A spokeswoman for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association said it was illegal to discriminate against guide dog owners.
She said: "It is against the Disability Rights Act to refuse a guide dog access to any public place or public transport.
"Guide dogs and their owners should be treated the same way as any other user. All guide dogs are given a certificate of health and safety and do not pose any risk."
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