"The bus driver said 'get off the bus with that dog,' and I said 'I beg your pardon? He's a guide dog,' and he said 'no he's not, get off the bus,'" Taggart said.
Guss was not wearing his coat, but that was not a requirement and Taggart did not always put it on him for various reasons. He still had identification on him showing Guss was a guide dog, but said the driver refused to look at it.
Over the next five to 10 minutes, the driver continued to argue with Taggart, eventually radioing a colleague at the bus terminal before getting out of his seat and inspecting Guss' tags and allowing them to continue onto the bus.
Taggart said it was "demeaning" knowing everybody on the bus would have been watching him argue with the driver.
"I'm kind of shrinking inside, people are looking at me. I get enough of that as it is. I know that sounds a bit wimpish but that's the sort of feeling you get, because you know that people will be looking at you."
All he wanted to do was get on the bus, "not be the centre of attention".
"It shakes up my confidence in going out ... I don't want to be like that. I love Wellington City and I love being out in the city."
Taggart said it was the second time in as many weeks that this had happened.
He is a volunteer for Blind Low Vision NZ, and works with people who have been newly diagnosed and are struggling with a loss of confidence.
"A lot of them become very isolated or they're afraid to go out in public.
"It's not very comfortable for me speaking out but I'm speaking out on behalf of all of those people who are not able to do it for themselves."
He helps with educating TransDev train staff about the difficulties blind people experience on public transport, but Metlink has not accepted his offer for training.
Metlink has apologised for the incident.
"We're disappointed to hear of Mr Taggart's experience and apologise unreservedly for what happened. We welcome all members of the public on our trains and buses, whether able-bodied or otherwise, and try hard to accommodate their needs and ensure they have confidence in using Metlink's services," said general manager Scott Gallacher.
"The almost complete absence of complaints about guide dogs suggests that drivers almost always follow the rules and their training in travelling with guide dogs.
"We acknowledge that sometimes, as it seems in this case, things can go wrong," he said.
"We will follow this up with the driver to find out why that was the case and ask our operators to reinforce the rules around guide dogs with drivers during regular training."
Blind Low Vision NZ chief executive John Mulka said Taggart's experience highlighted the need for continued awareness and understanding for blind, deafblind and low vision New Zealanders.
"While it might be unusual for the public to see a poodle as a guide dog, when George showed his ID card it should have cleared up the confusion. Guide dogs are of course permitted to travel on public transport and are welcome in public places including restaurants, offices, clinics, hospitals, shops, cinemas and hotels," he said.
"The majority of Blind Low Vision NZ guide dogs are Labradors. However, at New Zealand's only guide dog breeding and training centre, we also breed a small number of standard poodles suitable for handlers, or members of their family, who may be allergic to dog hair. Blind Low Vision NZ guide dog breeds are chosen for their intelligence and steady, friendly nature."
He said the organisation would be contacting Metlink and Wellington City Council to offer support and education.
These kinds of situations can be very difficult for blind and low vision New Zealanders, Mulka said.
"It's important we use these opportunities to raise awareness about the access rights of people who use guide dogs, to travel independently and confidently, and to get where they need to go. This highlights accessibility issues for all – whether for work, study or better social outcomes."
