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German toll launch is still in chaos
Page 8
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THE COMPANY behind the controversial new German HGV road-user charge is denying that it will be delayed for a second time. The system's launch was postponed in August because equipment wasn't ready. German press reports have suggested that the start could be pushed beyond the revised launch date of 2 November afterToll Collect recalled 20.000 of its on-board units (OBUs) because of a software fault.
Manfred Stolpe, the German Federal Minister of Transport, does not believe the service will be running on time.
But a spokesman from Toll Collect, a consortium comprising DaimlerChrysler, Deutsche Telekom and the French tolling operator Coliroute, says the firm does not expect any further delays: "We have started connecting software components, and the ministry will make an announcement soon about when the official test run will begin."
On the subject of defective OBUs he says: "There were a number of units recalled due to a software problem but we have been working to repair this. The last of those defective OBUs should be replaced within two weeks."
However, Guy Willis, head of communications at the International Road Transport Union, says it is a mess: "Toll Collect has repeatedly denied that there is a problem but we have had complaints about widespread problems with the OBUs, including one haulier who had 103 vehicles fitted with the system and not one of the units worked."