Help for Ownerdrivers?
Page 60
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THERE have been many reports that unsuitable I vehicles have had to be purchased in order to obtain a transport unit. In most cases a " redundant " vehicle is under the unladen weight of 3 tons and considered comparatively useless for long-distance haulage. Many owner-drivers sold their vehicles on joining the Forces and have been handicapped in restarting, owing to nationalization. Some of these men have little capital, two known personally to me have only small grants made by a disablement committee and even with hirepurchase facilities they cannot afford the inflated prices which are being charged for B.R.S. vehicles.
• If The Commercial Motor could keep a list of these men and put them into touch with companies having n20 redundant vehicles and/or licences, this would be doing a public service.
That such a liaison is desirable is clearly shown by the experience of a friend. He heard rebently of a new haulage firm who had obtained a large unit, including two vehicles of under 3 tons unladen weight which were in good repair but considered unsatisfactory for the work available. He made an application to purchase one and the licence for it, but was informed that both vehicles had been sold; moreover, the firm intended to retain the licences, although they would apparently not use them.
On making further inquiries, it was found that owing to their condition these vehicles had fetched such a good price that, taken with the other lorries bought, the licences had cost very little and the owners could easily have afforded to dispose of them for a moderate sum of money.
I know that this dog-in-the-manger attitude is not general amongst transport contractors and I am sure that many of them would welcome an opportunity of being put into touch with prospective owner-drivers who would be willing to take over a redundant wagon with licence.
London, E.8. F. COOK.