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Maintenance Cost
Page 51
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A LTHOUGH they probably did not intend it, the Traders Road .Transport Association have this week pointed out the fact that good maintenance requires discipline, a sense of responsibility—and (most important of all) hard cash. Last year the TRTA mooted the idea of a maintenance advisory and inspection service. This week they circularized 2,000 operators in the Greater London area with details of their proposed service. On the basis of market research among those operators within the next two months, the TRTA will decide whether to press ahead with a full, country-wide service. This, of course, would involve employment of staff and the setting-up of a proper organization to adminster the service.
The scale of charges proposed by the TRTA is certainly modest for the service offered. A full inspection annually, three "spot checks" and an initial survey of maintenance procedure costs only £15 a year for one vehicle. If more inspections are required, the cost rises quite moderately. There are reasonable reductions ill cost per vehicle for operators who offer more than one vehicle.
The appeal to the man with one or ,two vehicles is immediately obvious; but is he likely to be a TRTA member? Operators with about 10 vehicles may find it attractive. Big fleets with scattered vehicles (particularly if in the permanent possession of salesmen) will see advantages. Whoever the person involved, he will have the three qualities of discipline, responsibility and cash. What of the many people who will not see it this way?
There are, in short, snags; but The Commercial Motor wishes the TRTA every success in this imaginative venture. If operators turn. this down they will do themselves an incalculable disservice.