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Call for subsidies to boost system uptake
Page 22
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I by Robin Meczes
Vehicle rental arid fleet services supplier Leo Transfieet is calling on the government to help boost the use of telematics in the UK.
Mark Clissett, operations director at the firm, says hard financial help is needed if more operators are to be encouraged to fit telematics systems and that the government should help in order to pursue its own goals of cutting congestion and vehicle crime, as well as making better use of the road s.
Clissett, who admits that only around 20 of Lax Transfleet's 6,000-strong vehicle fleet are currently fitted with a telematics system, says the UK government would do well to consider copying the Spanish authorities.
More widespread use of telematics systems, he continues, would help reduce vehicle crime arid congestion, among other government goals. We have onboard systems today which, if linked to telematics could warn of a vehicle being stolen or hijacked. And there must be some benefit from a congestion point of view... we just need some joined-up thinking," he says.
Instead, the government appears to be wasting vehicle operators' money via its policy on digital tachographs, he says. "Someone who fits a telematics system at a cost of £2,000 still has to install a digital tech° at an additional £500-600, when the telematics system will provide all the tachograph-type data and information on vehicle fauits, fuel consumption, routeing and scheduling, traffic information arid messaging facilities. Why do we have to have both?"