Don't punish operators
Page 4
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WITH ONLY five weeks left for operators to have their vehicles replated from 38 to 32.5 tonnes, or vice versa, there is already a backlog of bookings. If all who want vehicles replated apply in time, the Department of Transport test stations will be unable to cope with the additional workload before May 1.
Indications are that a vast number of operators waited for the Budget before deciding to replete. The down-plating saving of between £300 and £700 per vehicle has obviously been the deciding factor.
The difference in cost for a medium-sized fleet constitutes a large part of an operator's annual revenue. Even one-vehicle operators will not be inclined to spend £300 more than they have to.
This is a matter which demands the most urgent attention of the Department of Transport. There must be an extension to the replating period and a structured programme as was applied for tachograph retrofitting. Certainly operators should not be penalised because of the extra workload imposed on test stations.
The Minister could consider extending the period for six months and delaying the introduction of the 38-tonne tax for the same period.