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Back loads
Page 38
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GETTING backloads for ownaccount transport is tricky. Attempts have been made in the past, but while many operators volunteered vehicles no one volunteered traffic. The ETA's commercial committee has had many discussions on this subjct. The Transport and Road Research Laboratory recently reported that one third of all goods vehicle mileage is empty running — wonderful ammunition for the anti-road transport lobby.
In the own-account sector 36 per cent of running is empty, and the hire or reward side does not do much better (31 per cent).
But there's one good argument in particular for the ownaccount operators to look again: the restricted drivers' hours and the approach of the eight-hour day could be removing the advantage of returning quickly for the next outward journey. So the FTA is asking members, in confidence, to return a detailed questionnaire on the subject.