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VOSA refuses to rule out increasing test fees in future
Page 9
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Sy Chris Tindall ABOVE-INFLATION test fee increases have not been ruled out as VOSA pursues its plan to close its own testing stations in favour of privately-run Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFS).
Parliamentary Under Secretary Paul Clark MP says the privatisation regime "should ease upward pressure on testing fees': but he stops short of promising that fees will not rise before improvements in the system have been demonstrated.
MPs demanded clarification from the minister on the government's response to a report published last year on VOSA's enforcement activities after branding it "very vague': with several points "inadequately addressed".
Chief among these points was whether inflation-busting fee increases are on the cards for hauliers. in spite of a move towards private-sector involvement. Clark says VOSA expects to be on a much firmer financial footing. which will see it out of deficit within seven years. adding: "These plans balance minimising any increase in fees with carrying out the Testing Transformation Programme restructuring, and minimising investment in the agency's estate. As tests move to private-sector ATF premises, the need for VOSA to modernise its own testing estate diminishes, and this should ease upward pressure on testing fees:' Clark also says it may need to retain a -small number'. of VOSA test sites as a safety net to cover areas commercial operators are not keen to run.
Road Haulage Association head of policy Jack Semple says the organisation welcomes this commitment, but adds uncertainty over how popular the ATF plan will be remains an issue.
Semple says: "I think it is likely we will sec [fee] increases