Campaigns on the cards
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WITH THE INTRODUCTION of digital tachographs just days away. the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) is calling for free driver smart cards until the end of April.
A spokesman for the BVRLA says: "We'd like to see the initial offering being made free in order to increase the take-up which,at 45,000 cards currently, is pretty pathetic. And we can foresee all sorts of problems for our rental members who might have vehicles with digital tachographs when drivers are turning up with analogue ones.
Another of the BVR LA's concerns is that its members might put off replacing vehicles until more drivers obtain smart cards, which cost £38 to buy. The BVRLA has also accused the government of failing to 'sell' the benefits of digitachs to the industry.
• The United Road Transport Union (URTU) is continuing its campaign to persuade the government to fund the smarl cards. The year-long campaign to convince the government not to force drivers to pay for the cards will go on, promises URTU general secretary Bob Monks.
He believes charging is unfair and will do nothing to encourage more drivers into the industry.