Driver shortages, market uncertainty and indecision and unrest about the future direction of the country are all factors making life tough for transport operators. John Challen reviews the market with updated FTA and RHA data
Fleet Operating Costs
Two former school friends are collaborating to improve the safety of commercial vehicles, one wheel at a time. Steve Banner reports
Road Safety
Ambulances have been quietly migrating from box bodies to a lighter panel van conversion. Meanwhile, a review published in September suggests that all UK ambulances should follow the same specification. Dan Gilkes reports
Emergency Service Vehicles
Just as commercial vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, so too do the breakdown recovery vehicles that service them. One worry on the horizon for urban operators of these long-lived units are emissions restrictions in clean air zones, reports Steve Banner
Recovery Vehicles
News in this month of an apprentice exchange between Royal Mail and trailer manufacturer Cartwright; Royal Mail’s apprentice mechanics travelled to the Cartwright factory to see how the trailers that the company buys are made, while Cartwright’s travelled to a Royal Mail garage to see how they are used.
Apprenticeships
West Midlands-based BJS Home Delivery has expanded its transport business with ten new Volvo FH tractor units, ordered after positive performance from the operator’s first Volvo trucks, delivered last April.
Tractor Units
Culina Logistics has taken delivery of a custom-designed low height double-deck refrigerated trailer from Cartwright, for use on a delivery route to a large supermarket customer in Ireland.
Temperature Controlled Vehicles
Emergency clean-up company CleanSafe has implemented a complete workforce management solution from BigChange, and says the efficiency savings extend to £1 million per year.
Fleet Management SystemsSoftware updates across multiple control units improves the vehicles’ emissions performance. Manufacturer’s reference: SRV1813. Number affected: 16,778. Vehicle IDs: WDF44760123048977 to WDF44760123218917; WDF44760323018968 to WDF44760323219342; WDF44760523048767 to WDF44760523219094; WDF44770123055937 to WDF44770123218863; WDF44770323020435 to WDF44770323219460; WDF44770513112467 to WDF44770523213775; WDF44770123051541 to WDF44770123478496; WDF44770523052349 to WDF44770523478086;...
RecallsThe vehicles’ USB charging sockets stop working and may overheat. Manufacturer’s reference: TI82.00M18010A. Number affected: 55. Vehicle IDs: WEB41055523001279 to WEB62801623136655.
RecallsThe van’s catalytic converter is welded incorrectly. Manufacturer reference: 0CW2. Number affected: 1. Vehicle ID: VF1FW51H160199226
RecallsThe van’s blind spot monitoring system’s exit warning is inoperable after the ignition is switched off. A software update is required. Manufacturer reference: SRV1806. Number affected: 31. Vehicle IDs: WDB9076332P006960 to WDB9076332P006960; WDB9076352P004976 to WDB9076352P006983; WDB9077332P005171 to WDB9077332P005322
Recalls