Big truck rule change will stimulate industry
July 16th, 2009
Truck-Trailer Manufacturers Federation (TTMF) national secretary Kate Bucknell says the Land Transport Rule -Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment to allow maximum truck weight to rise to 53 tonnes is the most positive news the industry has enjoyed for many years. Bucknell says if the rule goes ahead mostly as proposed, it will mean an about face in thinking when transport operators commission builds for new truck bodies and trailers. Instead of attempting reduce their road user charges by building certain configurations, they will have more freedom build vehicles which best suit the purpose.
“Equipment will be built for the right reason and not just to minimise their road user charges.” Bucknell says the rule offers a more performance-based envelope for operators, steering away from just regulatory issues. The industry has until July 24 to make submissions on the proposed rule, which didn’t hit their desks until the first week of this month. Organisations like TTMF have been forced to quickly organise meetings with members in order to work out details of their submissions. With more long-range thinking, Bucknell says it is important to preserve the remaining tradespeople in the industry. “They have been leaving left, right and centre because there is no work for them.” With a loss of experience, Bucknell says there is a risk transport operators will look to overseas manufacturers putting more foreign-made trailers on NZ roads. “NZ-built trailers are very, very good gear.”
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