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MSAs make effort to entice truck drivers
Page 11
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• Motorway service areas (MSAs) have never been a favourite stop for a number of hauliers; many truck drivers see them as being overpriced and overcrowded, and prefer to sleep in a lay-by.
But MSA operators are starting to acknowledge that truck drivers exist and are regular users of their services. However; most drivers believe they must offer better facilities and Pat Nicholson. from the Professional Drivers Association (PDA), is leading a campaign hoping to achieve just that.
Giving advice
She recently met with MSA operators Moto and Welcome Break. "The meeting was to make them aware of the needs of the lorry driver when visiting services and it was encouraging to find that they were prepared to listen and take on board many of our complaints.
'They in turn explained to us some of the difficulties they face which we are not aware of, such as getting planning permission.
*MSAs will not be something that we are going to see change greatly overnight, and we need to keep giving them our opinions, whether good or bad. However, operators are now willing to listen."
Moto Hospitality says it is aware that many HGV drivers dislike stopping at MSAs: "Moto has already taken some steps to improve facilities for HGV drivers. However, it is not complacent about the needs of any of its visitors and will continue to improve things for this customer group.
"We have recently introduced exclusive lounges for HGV drivers at some of our sites and are identifying areas at the remainder of our 47 sites where we may be able to provide a dedicated area for truckers.
"These dedicated facilities will feature soft seating and wide screen satellite television, including sports channels. Moto has already introduced meal deals for drivers including a .£3.99 special in which drivers have a choice of eight hot meals with as many chips as they like and a hot drink." Alan Forte, business development manager at Welcome Break, says it is conscious of the effects that new legislation such as the Working Time Directive will have upon its primary services:IA/a need a greater understanding of what truck drivers need and hew we can help them.
"We are already planning to extend our HGV parking at five sites," he says.
"We have never wanted to alienate truck drivers; we have built new service areas and tried to give everyone the same choice rather than distinguish between different customers."
Road Chef says it has increased the number of showers per site and, responding to the needs of women truck drivers, has introduced dedicated female showers. It adds that its recent targets for investment have been upgrading its food and buildings. The next stage will focus on the needs of specific groups like coach and truck drivers.
Improved facilities
Geoff Dossetter, the Freight Transport Association's head of external affairs, welcomes efforts by MSA operators to upgrade their service: "It's great news, especially as poor facilities have been cited as one of the reasons behind the current skills shortage with few people wanting to enter the industry when they hear about the poor conditions that drivers have to endure."