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We're all waiting for something to turn up
Page 70
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As diesel prices continue to rise and profit margins continue to fall Ray Dickson wonders when the industry will lift its collective head from the sand...
Looking back over my 40 years in the transport industry I cannot recall a time when things looked bleaker. Diesel prices are spiralling out of control, probably never to come down again, while customers are extremely reluctant to accept increased charges.
Minimal profits
Latest figures from Plimsoll suggest hauliers both large and small are operating at a profit level of less than 0.5% .Why? Because this stupid industry continues to cut its own throat by attempting to absorb the increased costs, fearful that a rate increase will lose the customer to the "other lot down the. road".
Why does our industry face adversity by sticking our heads "where the sun don't shine" and, like David CA)pperfield's Mr Micawber, wait in the hope that "something will turn up"?
As for the leading voice, what does the RHA have to say? "We are deeply disappointed that the government has abandoned the LRUC scheme."!
Where does this brilliant piece of rhetoric come from? I am not aware of any transport operator who shares this sentiment we want a level playing field but this was never a realistic answer. Please RHA, lobby the Chancellor on our behalf to help us cope with the titanic struggle against high diesel prices.
Unfortunately, it seems that all too often the RHA wants to arrange the deckchairs while the ship is sinking. Escalating diesel prices will inevitably lead to many hauliers 'drowning'we need strong leadership from the body that claims to represent us, not pussyfooting around.
There have been many recent articles about annual tests,with all sorts of theories floating around about the goings on at certain VOSA test stations. I have nothing to add to these aflegations,but it seems appropriate to mention our local test station in Mitcham, Surrey.
At the end of last year !wrote about the problems we had encountered with the inconsistency of voluntary and next-day MOT tests.
Since then standards have risen substantially and! would like to thank the management and team at Mitcham who have evidently taken on board what was intended to be constructive criticism, and have been big enough to turn things around.
The remedial action has eliminated the problems being experienced at the time and I am both humbled and appreciative that the 'big guys' listened to the 'little guys'.
Well done
Our relationship with the staff at the test station remains excellent and they all deserve a -well done" from us and all their customers who, like ourselves,now benefit from improved standards.
I wave in appreciation to VOSA as the current price of diesel splashes about my head. Waving.., and drowning.