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Deregulating tacho fees will hit rural hauliers, warns FTA

18th February 2010
Page 12
Page 12, 18th February 2010 — Deregulating tacho fees will hit rural hauliers, warns FTA
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christindatt781agooglemait.com VOSA'S PLAN TO deregulate fees charged by Approved Tachograph Centres (ATCs) will push up prices for operators based in rural areas, warns the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

In 2002, a consultation led to ATC fees being linked and adjusted to reflect annual inflation. VOSA says a major review is now needed again due to the introduction of digital tachographs. It has launched a consultation about how the fee structure might be changed, which ends on 26 February.

VOSA has three options for changing ATC fees. Its preferred option is to deregulate the process. It says this would allow tacho centres to charge prices based on their commercial costs and the work they are doing for the customer.

VOSA also says ATCs and operators would benefit. A spokesman says: "Deregulation is the only option that removes the need for future government intervention, as fees will increase naturally with the increased costs of the tachograph centres and inflation."

But FTA head of road freight and enforcement policy Joan Williams counters: "Our members have concerns that deregulation will push prices up in different parts of the country — rural areas, for example, where a supplement could be added.

Another option put forward by VOSA is to increase the maximum allowable fees to align with the time taken to perform the work. It has calculated an average figure of £55.04 plus VAT per hour. But the FTA disputes its figures: "Our members who put vehicles in for calibration say they're way out; they don't agree at all," Williams adds.

The Road Haulage Association reveals that the matter is still discussing it with its members,but head of technical services Ray Engley says: "We believe the marketplace may now be mature enough to be deregulated on prices, which would allow individual firms to review how they could provide costeffective efficient services to the industry and their customers.

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