Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers win battle over MOT testing centres

TAXI drivers are celebrating victory in their two-year battle to end Bolton Council's monopoly over testing for their cars. Hackney and private hire drivers, who have to get their vehicles tested twice-yearly, had objected to having to use the council's testing station at Wellington Yard in Bolton town centre.

They had complained about waits of up to four weeks to book tests, and said the system was inconsistent and too expensive.

But from today, three private garages - B&B Motors on the Wingates Industrial Estate, Westhoughton; Gordons Ltd in Higher Bridge Street, Bolton, and Chorley New Road, Horwich; and MMM Services at the Gilnow Road Service Station in Deane - will also offer the tests in addition to Wellington Yard.

Charles Oakes, of Bolton and Bury Hackney Association, along with Sajid Khan and Mustak Bhuta, of Bolton Private Hire Association, praised the council for opening up the system. Mr Oakes said: "Drivers should now get tests on demand and competition will create a better service.

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