Taxi Driver Online

Taxi firm boss hits out at peak-time spot-checks

A TAXI boss has slammed Bolton Council for carrying out spot-checks during the peak time for business. Nick Astley, managing director of Metro Cars in Tonge Moor Road, said the system needs to be reviewed. It followed the four day suspension of a car run by one of his private hire drivers after a council employee failed it in a spot-check in Waters Meeting Road, Astley Bridge, at 8.55pm on Saturday, October 8.

The car was flagged up because the information screen, the data-head, was not secure and steering bushes which prevent the car from shuddering were said to be worn. After two minutes’ work on the data-head, the Toyota Avensis was cleared by council inspectors and allowed to operate on Tuesday, October 11. No work was needed on the steering bushes. The driver claims he lost £250 in wages while off the road.

Mr Astley said: “Securing a data-head takes as long as it would to wrap a piece of sellotape around your finger three times. It is absolutely disgusting.” He added: “I am not arguing with the need for spot-checks, passenger safety is paramount. “It would be better if they didn’t do them on a busy Friday or Saturday night when we are taking bookings by the thousands as it lets customers down as well. “If the car needs to come off the road, I will hold my hands up.”

The 31-year-old driver, from Halliwell, who did not want to be named, said: “I was surprised they took my car because I had an MOT the week before. I would have accepted it if something was wrong. “I had only been working for an hour when I was stopped. I have three children to support, and I have been struggling financially because I couldn’t work.”

A council spokesman said: “We work closely with operators and drivers to ensure vehicles are safe and endeavour to get the vehicle under inspection back on the road as soon as possible.

“We carry out spotchecks at various times of the day. They are conducted in the interests of public safety. Many of the problems can be rectified quickly and simply by the driver, but if ignored can make the vehicle unsafe. “If anyone has a complaint about the work our officers do, then we have a duty to investigate. However, in this instance we have not received a complaint and will liaise directly with the driver.”

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