Labour MP Rob Flello has shown support for the ATF Operators Association (AOA) by planning to put forward Parliamentary questions concerning a fair partnership with Vosa.
Flello, who is also part of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Freight, met with members of the AOA to discuss the its views on the relationship between ATFs and Vosa. He has agreed to put forward a list of questions to roads minister Stephen Hammond.
In the meeting, which took place at the CV Show this week (10 April), Flello listened to the AOA’s concerns about the restrictions placed upon ATF operators in terms of testing limits. This the association said is restricting their profitability.
The AOA also raised concerns about the proportion of test fees going to Vosa.
AOA chair and Boleyn Recovery & Fleet Services MD Steve Smith said: “We hope Rob Flello will take up our points and get a debate going in parliament. We’re happy for him to take up the baton and see what he can do for us.”
Testing times
Smith told Motortransport.co.uk that Vosa has asked some of the AOA’s members to reduce their daily test limit from 420 minutes to 400 to alleviate the pressure on testers. However they fear this will affect the amount of money members can make from their operations.
“We really contend that issue because we paid for those 420 minutes and now we’re being asked to reduce that. I think we really want to get that message over and get an answer back as to why they’re introducing these measures,” Smith added.
The AOA has 55 members, representing around 75 ATFs.
