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Not all agencies are cowboys
Page 26
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FOLLOWING YOUR article on 22 July and the subsequent letter from Sean Saxon (CM 12 August),I can no longer sit back and listen to the torrent of abuse and had press levelled at driving agencies.
will admit that your article on 22 July regarding the boss of Driver Hire Preston welcoming the WTD so that he can increase rates by 20% does nothing whatsoever to improve the reputation and image of driver agencies. But that is only the view of one individual.
The simple fact of the matter is that there are good and bad in all walks of life. Commercial Motor reports weekly on the cowboy hauliers who have been caught breaking the law — and quite rightly. But little or nothing is said of the 'good guys' who go about their business in a professional and legal manner. The same is applicable to driving agencies.
Driving agencies are no different to any other hire business such as cars, forklifts. power tools, etc. Their 'product' is much the same, the only difference, which attracts and retains customers, is the service provided.
We spend far more time selecting and assessing our drivers than most transport companies do; certainly much more than your average agencyThis is because we want to employ drivers who have one aim — to carry out the duties requested of them in a safe and professional manner. For this reason we employ a number of Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) instructors, who train our drivers, and those of our clients, in modern driving techniques, legislation and safety.
I would suggest to Sean Saxon that he should be more selective when engaging a driving agency and not tar every agency with the same brush. I would welcome the regulation of agencies and have previously stated this view elsewhere.
Regulation may well see the culling of disreputable agencies and a general improvement of standards; something that is long overdue. There are good, honest agencies out there if you take the time to look.
Kevin Brooke Managing director FleetMaster Operational Support Services Batley, West Yorks