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Co ask the Ministry
Page 7
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When it comes to VOSA's plans to increase annual test fees, one question keeps cropping up—why? Why has VOSA not budgeted well enough to prevent a deficit in its annual test account? Why has it not secured sufficient infrastructure improvement funds from the government? Why is it still offering sub-standard service in terms of booking times?
Why (according to its own survey) are so many large operators dissatisfied with its service? And why on earth should the nation's truck operators pay for the promise of jam tomorrow by higher test fees today?
If VOSA doesn't get its way on the fee increases, it says: "The risk is that the Agency will not be able to recover the deficit in the accounts for HGV testing... the network modernisation programme will not begin and improvements to the service will not take place."
And whose fault is that? If VOSA hasn't got the money to offer a service fit for the 21st century, then it should be beating a path to its real paymaster —the Department for Transport— and not chasing an industry where the average return on revenue is significantly below the level of fee increases VOSA is asking for.
The response from hauliers should be short and sharp: 'We're already being screwed enough by the customers—go find the money yourself1" If VOSA is desperate for more cash we know just the place to find it, within the currently underspent Road Haulage Modernisation Fund. What
better way to Brian Weatherley. Editor—in-Chief.
use it? brian.weatherley