Second testing centre for taxis and private hire vehicles opens next week

A second testing centre for taxis and private hire vehicles will open next Friday (1 April) at Sunnybank Service Station.

It will complement the existing testing centre run by the council at Bradley Fold.

In Bury, there are 36 Hackney carriages (taxis, or ‘black cabs’) and 741 private hire vehicles, all of which require two tests a year to ensure they are in good condition – this equates to 1,554 tests annually.

Councillor Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture and the economy, said: “This will be warmly welcomed by drivers and operators in Bury, giving them a choice of stations to use when going for their twice-yearly tests.

“We’ve taken this action following extensive consultation with the trade and listening closely to the feedback provided by drivers.”

The council’s licensing section is writing to all drivers and operators informing them of the changes.

ENDS

Press release issued: 25 March 2022.

Picture: At the new taxi testing centre are (from left) Cllr Charlotte Morris; Cllr Tamoor Tariq, deputy council leader; Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, council leader; Andrew Cunane, Richard Hartley and Tracey Stockley of Sunnybank Service Station; and Cllr Sandra Walmsley, chair of the licensing and safety committee.