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A false economy

4th September 1982
Page 2
Page 2, 4th September 1982 — A false economy
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

WHATEVER the state of the operating side of the road transport industry, maintenance is ongoing. Unroadworthy vehicles can lose money and operators' licences.

Both the Road Haulage and Freight Transport Associations have studied this aspect of the industry. They have expertise which must be rated as second to none. Members have no excuse for operating faulty vehicles. It cannot be denied, however, that there are still a few about.

At the same time, there are many more who do not benefit from the services that the trade associations offer. They can and frequently do, call on manufacturers' services. Yet there still remain too many operators who ignore the perils that under-maintained vehicles present.

In these times when the industry is feeling the effects of recession it is all too easy to cut costs by ignoring maintenance. We have been criticised by some for overpricing maintenance costs in our Tables of Operating Costs. Others have abused us.

Cutting maintenance expenditure is a false economy. It reduces both vehicle productivity and life. This leads to loss of profit and accelerates vehicle replacement.

Ten per cent of any fleet should be regarded as the maintenance element. There should be one service man to every ten vehicles.

Maintenance schedules should be sacrosanct. They are one of the most important elements in the transport business.

We have never disguised the fact that some operators — too many — ignore this operating cost. Today we repeat our oft stated warning. They do so at their peril.

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