Inspection Upgrade
Department of Consumer Services taxi-inspection facility at 39th Street receives new equipment, electrical work
By: Jonathan Bullington
In an effort to improve service and expedite the taxi-inspection process, the Department of Consumer Services (DCS) has installed new testing equipment at its inspection facility on 39th Street and Artesian.
Chief among the improvements is the addition of two new mechanical lifts, two new electronic meter-testing machines, a new brake-testing machine, as well as a complete electrical upgrade to the facility.
In the past, drivers and owners have complained of the long wait times at inspection. With these improvements, started in October 2007, DCS hopes to increase efficiency and decrease wait times.
“We hope [the improvements] will make for a more pleasant experience for drivers,” said DCS representative Kevin McDonald.
McDonald said he expects the last of the work to be complete by the week of April 28. The inspection process will change with the new additions. Visual inspections will be done while cabs wait in line outside the facility. Once in lane one, cabs will be further inspected visually and have their brakes tested. Then, cabs will be sent to either lane two or three for the mechanical inspection and meter testing. In the past, cabs would be put up on the lift in lane two and then have to pull around to lane three for the meter test. But, with the new additions, both lanes will have the necessary equipment to perform both tests.
the break testing machine consistently FAIL "police package" cabs because it is not designed to test them -- even when a complete brake system overhaul has been performed!
