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Comment
Page 10
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PUT PRIVATISATION
TO THE TESL, 1: USED Ma. ROADIESTS • NEW ARRIVALS
I _KU ,...31NLJ
iSg Ku If it moves, privatise it! That seems to be the case with most things these days. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't. More and more people are wondering whether HGV testing should be privatised, rather than being controlled and run by VOSA — and big hikes in test fees have hardly helped VOSA's cause. Truck companies are running 24/7 operations dedicated to customer service. Test stations sometimes seem to be doing quite the opposite. Inconsistent results, elderly equipment and long queues for test dates are three good reasons why something needs to be done to overhaul the system.
To VOSA's credit, it has tried to improve things by opening test stations for longer and employing more staff. But long promised new equipment hasn't appeared, and only a few test stations have been upgraded, leaving operators to wonder what their test fee increases — 13% this year, and a whopping 23% last year— are actually for.
A free market, where the best service provider gets most business, seems to make sense. Of course there would be some problems with privatisation: who would want to do testing in remoter parts of the UK where there are perhaps fewer trucks? And would it just end up costing even more?
But we need a truck testing service that is fit for the 21st century, and what we have at the moment is not. Apparently the FTA and RHA have agreed a new code of practice with VOSA over testing standards which should address the inconsistency issue. But unless VOSA suddenly gets its act together, privatising truck testing will be the only way to ensure we have a modern, cost-effective testing system.
"New equipment hasn't appeared and only a few stations have been upgraded"
• Just how much more are overseas operators going to get away with? Not content with running on cheaper diesel, now they've taken to running even faster by moving into the third lane of the motorway. Twice in the past week one of CM'S staff has seen foreign artics overtaking traffic by moving into the fast lane, and travelling at fast lane speed. It's something the police and VOSA need to stop right now. Take no action and we're heading towards a motorway accident of massive proportions.