http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/16188613.Blackburn_black_cab_representative_wants_more_MOT_test_choice/
BLACK cab drivers are calling for more choice over where they can take their vehicle for MOT tests.
Blackburn with Darwen Council reviewed hackney carriage and private hire car safety testing provision following a request through the local authority’s taxi forum.
Driver representatives say having just one test centre where all testing must be carried out is inadequate.
But following the review, executive member for environment, Cllr Jim Smith, decided to keep the current in-house regime for hackney carriage and private hire vehicle safety testing.
The last review of testing provision was carried out in 2014 and the current system requires all vehicles to be tested at the council’s Motor Vehicle Service Station (MVSS) in Davyfield Road, Blackburn.
The review looked at the service offered by other councils in Lancashire and Greater Manchester and found there are a number of different systems in place - council run, completely contracted out and dual in-house/contracted out provision.
It found council run provision allows for good control in consistency of testing, but does not allow for competition within the market.
Charles Oakes, director of the Hackney Drivers Association, said: “We feel we should have the option of supporting local businesses as well as the council.
awww.... but then the council wouldn't be making money out of the tests
“It’s almost as if the council is saying it’s a closed shop.
“We believe we can put an argument together to ask for a review of the decision.
“It’s about the drivers in this day and age having a choice and we just don’t have it.
“We are not saying get rid of the garage – what we are saying is our members should have the option of using other testing stations so they can choose where they want to go.”
In Preston, there are currently six testing stations available for drivers - though the number is set to be reduced to three.
Manchester and Hyndburn are the same as Blackburn with Darwen in offering one testing station while Burnley and Bolton offer five - though Bolton will reduce the number to four.
Consideration was given to contracting out to one other named testing station to provide an alternative to the council-run but it was decided doing so would increase costs for both the licensing department and taxi drivers.
Cllr Jim Smith said: "The problem with having more than one testing station is it's about standards."
no it's not MOT testing stations are highly regulated and checked
