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FTA services on call
Page 39
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cHE following is a selection from the Association's range of services: Advisory service • Advice is freely available on any matter affecting the operation of goods vehicles. The FTA has, or has access to, experts capable of providing the best answer to any transport problem from designing depots to filling in drivers' record books.
Changes in the law
• The Association guarantees to keep members and associate members fully up to date with all changes in transport law — usually through the medium of its journal, Freight, or open meetings in all parts of the country.
Consultancy The FTA consultancy service is designed to ensure that the best expertise is available to members. It uses, as appropriate, the resources of the Association itself, plus those of selected outside consultants and/or the consultancy department of a leading member with considerable expertise in the field of physical distribution. The consultancy service covers five main areas; Financial, Legal, Manpower, Fleet operation /Physical distribution and Engineering.
Cost information Quarterly cost tables are prepared, giving details of vehicle operating costs, cost trends and up-to-date information. This service is provided on an annual subscription basis. In addition, the Association provides information and advice on costs and costing methods.
Drivers' handbook This widely read book is updated regularly and is considered by many as a "must" for their drivers. Not only does it keep drivers up to date, but its issue can betaken as prima facie evidence that the employer has taken regular steps to give proper instruction and guidance.
Drivers record books Drivers' record books can be purchased at the very competitive rates which the Association's annual print order of nearly one million books can cornmand, Engineering services Over 25 per cent of FTA members and associate members have their vehicles inspected by the Association's team of one hundred and fifteen road transport engineers. This highly skilled team is currently undertaking over a hundred thousand inspections each year, and this service extends from one-vehicle operators to some of the largest fleets in the country.
FTA vehicle inspections provide operators with an integral part of a well balanced maintenace system by ensuring regular checks on their vehicles. A detailed written report is provided to facilitate follow-up action and the frequency and type and inspection can be tailor-made to suit individual requirements. It is a service which helps you to cut your costs and to keep on the right side of the law.
In addition the FTA offers a comprehensive range of engineering services covering accident investigation, new and second-hand vehicle checks, consultancy, disputed garage accounts, etc.
Insurance • The Association, through its brokers, offers free advice, together with a claims service and policies at favourable rates.
International transport • A full information and advisory service is provided on all aspects of the movement of freight throughout Europe, the Middle East and beyond. The FTA is authorised to issue CT guarantees and TIR carnets to all full and associate members who meet the necessary financial safeguards.
Legal defence The Association retains a nationwide team of experienced solicitors whose services in relation to prosecutions for road traffic offences, licensing inquiries, etc are available to members at advantageous terms.
0-licensing • Members can obtain immediate advice on any aspect of operators' licensing: application; public inquiries; statutory declarations; renewal procedures; Admission to the Occupation, etc.
Open meetings • Regular meetings which are open to both members and associate members, are held throughout the country on subjects of both topical and general transport interest. In addition, they provide a means of keeping in touch with fellow operators, customers and competitors in your area.
Regional newsletters
• In addition to Freight, all members are kept up to date with local transport matters through the medium of regional newsletters which are issued at regular intervals, or when there is a sudden emergency or change in legislation. For example, an explanatory bulletin on drivers' hours was sent direct to all members and associate members within 36 hours of the EEC's decision being known in this country.
Roads and traffic • The Association monitors transport management schemes throughout the country and ensures that the goods vehicle operator's point of view is taken into account in formulating such schemes. Advice is available on the effect of such schemes on commercial vehicle operations, eg weight and width restrictions, lorry routes, overnight parking restrictions, tolls, etc.
Spare parts • The FTA cannot promise to obtain elusive spare parts whenever and wherever they are needed. It can, however, promise to use its influence to try to clear obvious bottlenecks and, if all else fails, to join in the search for any particular part.
Training
The Association runs a comprehensive programme of one-day seminars, residential courses, mini-seminars, and conferences, designed to meet the varying needs of all involved in the operation of goods vehicles. Residential courses are held at the Association's training centre in Kent. Full training is offered for the Certificate of Competence exams. In the case of the national exam this includes home study courses, backed up by local one-day "workshops-. The courses are specially designed to enable students to study with the minimum of interference with their day-to-day work.
User service In 1976, some 60 per cent of freight was moved by thirdparty carriers; the FTA advances the interests of users of such services.
In short, the FTA exists to ensure that the freight services' users need, whether by road, rail, sea, air and inland waterway or in combination are available at the right time, in the right place-, in the right quantity, and at fair prices and conditions.
Wages The FTA Drivers' Remuneration Service, which is offered on a subscription basis, provides regular data on wage rates throughout the country. The information is based on up-to-date actual cases, not general theories and averages. It is a must for all who want to keep• fully up to date in this sensitive area.
• Guidance on local wage rates and related benefits can be obtained from Regional offices who monitor local conditions.
All services marked • are covered by the membership fee. Other services are offered on a pay-as-you-go-basis.