A row has broken out between Glasgow Airport and a disabled cab driver over whether he can park for free in his taxi - which he says is not a “commercial vehicle.”

Peter Keegan, a 67-year-old taxi driver from Motherwell, holds a blue badge for disabled parking due to his severe osteoarthritis, which he says leaves him in “constant pain.”

Glasgow Airport offers 30 minutes of free parking to blue badge holders, which Peter says he has made use of a number of times. However, on September 13, Peter was denied the free parking, and forced to pay £15 because he was in a “commercial vehicle.”

Peter displaying his blue badgePeter displaying his blue badge (Image: Mark Gibson, Newsquest)

Peter feels that he was discriminated against, and believes his blue badge should entitle him to the free 30 minutes regardless of whether or not he is working. He also argues that his taxi is not a commercial vehicle. He was working when the incident occurred on September 13.

Peter said: “As far as I’m concerned, it is a clear cut case of discrimination against me as a blue badge holder.

“As a blue badge holder I’m entitled to the free 30 minutes. It doesn’t matter whether you’re working or what kind of vehicle it is.”

According to Citizens' Advice Scotland: “The blue badge is linked to an individual rather than a vehicle, so you can use it with any car - including taxis and hire cars.”

Peter outside Glasgow Airport. They insist his taxi is a commercial vehiclePeter outside Glasgow Airport. They insist his taxi is a commercial vehicle (Image: Mark Gibson, Newsquest)

But guidance from Transport Scotland notes that the blue badge scheme “does not apply on private roads and in private car parks,” nor “on the road systems at some airports.”

“You should therefore contact the airport concerned in advance to check their car parking arrangements,” it advises.

Because the parking at Glasgow Airport is private, it is up to them to decide what exemptions are given to blue badge holders.

Their website states that “all blue badge holders have a 30 minute free drop off and pick up window in car park two,” but adds that this “cannot be used for commercial, hire or reward.”

Glasgow Airport views Peter’s black cab as a commercial vehicle, meaning it does not qualify for the free parking - though they say he would be entitled to the exemption if using his taxi for personal purposes.

Peter says his osteoarthritis causes him constant painPeter says his osteoarthritis causes him constant pain (Image: Mark Gibson, Newsquest)

However, Peter denies that his Hackney cab is a commercial vehicle, pointing out that it falls within the ‘M1’ category for road tax - the same as typical passenger cars. Commercial vehicles such as lorries or coaches come under different tax categories.

He said: “It’s not a commercial vehicle because it’s not taxed as a commercial vehicle.

“It’s not a Transit van. It’s a black cab.”

Peter also argues that the insurance is not commercial.

He said: “It’s not got commercial insurance.

“It's public hire insurance, taxi insurance.

“When I phone up my broker they give me a quote for taxi insurance, not commercial.”

Part of the reason Peter wants to use car park two at Glasgow Airport is the easy access it allows him to a toilet. Given his arthritis, he says this makes a big difference.

He said: “The pain from the osteoarthritis is 24/7.

“Even when I’m sleeping, it can wake me up in the night. I’m in constant pain all the time. That’s the reason I’ve got the blue badge.

“Car park two gives me access to a toilet, whereas the drop off point doesn’t. I would need to walk over to car park two to use the toilet. With my disability, that’s a big deal.”

“It’s not often I have a gripe with anybody,” he added. “But I’m right, and they’re wrong.”

Peter believes he has been discriminated againstPeter believes he has been discriminated against (Image: Mark Gibson, Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Glasgow Airport said: “To assist passengers who have a blue badge, a 30-minute free period is available.

“Any blue badge holder who uses a taxi to get to the airport is also able to access this.

“Taxis on non-blue badge business, even though the driver themselves holds a blue badge, are not eligible for this initiative.”

Peter uses his black cab for work and personal travelPeter uses his black cab for work and personal travel (Image: Mark Gibson, Newsquest)

A spokesperson for NCP, who operates the car park, said: “The airport allows blue badges to be used by customers as a courtesy.

“Their terms and conditions state this doesn’t apply to commercial vehicles. Taxi drivers cannot use their own blue badge for hire or reward, though customers can use their own blue badge in a taxi.

“It is up to the individual business to set their own blue badge guidelines, which [airport owner] AGS have done.”