AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

"ransport must heal itself

10th June 1966, Page 31
10th June 1966
Page 31
Page 31, 10th June 1966 — "ransport must heal itself
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

HERE is more connection than would seem at first glance between the earthiness of a Licensing hority's inquiry into possible revocation or suspenof a carrier's licence for maintenance offences and august proceedings of the International Road nsport Union, both events being reported in this e. The two things are about as far apart as they can yet both are influences which should bear upon isport managers and engineers.

teflected in the growing number of Section 178 iries is the general concern about standards of ntenance—which is very much the concern of the LSport manager. Unfortunately, the reason a fleet into bad repair is often because the manager lacks icient authority or presence to force upon his ctors the inescapable fact that not enough is being it on maintenance and vehicle replacement ;rammes.

,t the other end of this particular scale there is a 7,.ral tendency for the average transport manager to ount anything international--even dealing with ope as being rather ethereal and lacking real pur:, or reason. It might be felt that this, too, is a reflection of that same lack of authority or presence because transport men, being essentially practical beings, cannot raise their sights far enough to take in the full horizon.

The intention of these remarks is not to castigate transport men, all of whom are worth far more than their business ranking and salary would suggest, but to force their weak spots before their eyes. Repair of such deficiencies will automatically correct an apparent lack of authority. Talk in any road transport circles will sooner or later centre around these two thorns of low pay and low standing. Yet how can transport people seriously discuss improving these affairs if they, themselves, give a low general impression?

Just as one example take the annual report of the National Committee on Road Transport Education.. also published this week. Out of 364 candidates taking the 1965 examinations (which are extremely valuable) only 17 were from road haulage companies.

If they cannot enforce basic matters like maintenance, have not time to think to the future, and are not interested in education, do road transport men really deserve higher salaries and better status?

Physician heal thyself!


comments powered by Disqus