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'Part-time' transport managers play vital role

8th November 2007
Page 28
Page 28, 8th November 2007 — 'Part-time' transport managers play vital role
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Whatfollows is the second part of a reader's letter; thefirst part was published in last week's issue (Changes to the CPC regulations could be bad newsfor haulage', CM 1 November2007). It was written in response to our Operators' Panel reaction to Eumpean Commission plansfor CPC changes that will have a significant fffect on transport managers ('Legislatingfor better transport managers', CM 18 October 2007). We are devoting this much space to a single letter because it raises some important issues; naturally readers' comments will be welcomed— Ed

IN RELATION '1'0 [comments about] 'part-time' transport managers. I take issue with many of your panel as they obviously have never found themselves in need of assistance. I am currently transport manager for a number of organisations and have held similar positions for many companies over the years. In most cases this has been temporary while the owner of a new business starting up has been trying to obtain an 0-licence and only then found out about the CPC.

Given the exam timings — four times per year and two months for the exam results to be published—it could take live months to get a CPC if the candidate passed on the first occasion.Then add nine weeks for the 0-licence application and you can see that it could easily take seven to eight months before the wheels can turn.

Better to recognise that the services of a professionally competent manager, even part time, will ensure that the new operator starts out on the right foot.

For my part. I include a very stringent contract relating to the client's compliance with all appropriate legislation.The client also has to have a full-time employee with direct control of his/her vehicles on a daily basis with whom lam in regular contact.

Clients are required to subject their drivers' hours records, whether analogue or digital, for third-party analysis and to have comprehensive maintenance procedures in place, including nil defect reporting. In addition I or my employees carry out random visits to check compliance with respect to driver's hours and maintenance.

I take my role very seriously as I make the same undertakings to the Traffic Commissioner to ensure a legal transport operation as my clients' directors and your readers' full-time transport managers. I have to exercise the same control of the fleet: I just delegate to the client's manager— isn't that the same as delegating to a shift manager/senior driver while the transport manager goes on holiday for three weeks'?

Like him or her,! am still liable if it all goes wrong while I'm not there. One other thing you can be sure of: my clients never have the opportunity to have a 12-to-I 8-month period without a CPC holder when one leaves. Another advantage is that a 'part-time' transport manager has to keep up to date with current legislation to ensure he/she gives the client the best advice.

How many companies still have a transport manager who is qualified on grandfather's rights — never took an exam or had to prove any knowledge of transportlaw? That's not to say they're all had.! recently had a fine gentleman on a course who, after 30 years in the business, decided he ought to update his knowledge base. He only attended the tuition (at 58 he decided the exams would be too much), but at the end he said he hadn't realised how little he knew about current legislation and wished the other delegates all the best... adding he was grateful that he didn't have to pass the exams to keep his job!

There is one other consideration your panel has missed. If I get it wrong and lose my 'good repute', I'm out of business. If they get it wrong, someone else's name goes on the 0-licence, the offender gets his/her knuckles rapped and keeps their job.

The limitation on the number of vehicles controlled should be left in the capable hands of the Traffic Commissioners based on the merit of the manager concerned. If! can only control 12 vehicles in one day a week, does that mean that a full-time manager should only be able to control 60 vehicles?

What happens in a large RDC with 200 vehicles? Does the company need four transport managers? Of course not. In the past I have had control of as many as 300 vehicles at any one time. If you have the correct systems in place and your personnel have the appropriate training and understand the requirements,one person can 'control' 1,000 vehicles.

In general being the nominated transport manager for a number of owner-drivers is probably safer than being in a major multinational. Each owner needs to comply with the legislation to keep the wheels turning with the minimum of downtime in order to ensure profitability.

My apologies if I've gone on, but! believe your report was not completely balanced.

Clive Aisbitt, FInstTA Partner, RIR Services

Tags

Organisations: Eumpean Commission
People: Clive Aisbitt

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