WRC finds bus passenger’s disability discrimination complaint was not well founded

The Workplace Relations Commission found that A Passenger’s disability discrimination complaint against A Transport Provider was not well founded. A separate complaint was out of time and the WRC had no jurisdiction to hear it; the merits were not decided. The decision was dated 6 September 2024. The passenger alleged that the provider refused him travel because he could not wear a face covering and failed to accommodate his disability. The provider said its face-covering rules followed government guidance and that it had not received evidence of a medical exemption at the time. For the complaint that was heard on its merits, the WRC found the passenger had not established disability discrimination. It said the incidents occurred during the pandemic, when the provider was seeking to keep staff and customers safe and comply with health and safety law.