Like the established Van Excellence programme, Truck Excellence is a voluntary, industry-governed scheme that audits compliance with O licence requirements.
Additional items can be added to the audits, including TfL’s (Transport for London) WRRR – work related road risk clause – which TfL recognises as being equivalent to FORS Bronze.
FTA has revised the relevant parts of both the Truck Excellence and Van Excellence standards to incorporate the latest version of the FORS standard (as of 9 November), and has submitted these for approval to TfL.
Both Bidvest and the London Borough of Redbridge demonstrated compliance with WRRR.
“We are delighted to recognise our first accredited Truck Excellence members,” states James Hookham, FTA’s deputy chief executive.
“Truck Excellence gives reassurance to customers, shareholders, staff, and other stakeholders, including regulators,” he continues.
“By adding the required audit items, operators are also able to demonstrate compliance with TfL’s WRRR requirements for contractual purposes ... we are confident of other operators and procurers specifying this standard for contractual purposes in the future.”
Eddie Cross, head of transport engineering services at London Borough of Redbridge, says: “We have worked with the FTA on Van Excellence, and Truck Excellence was a natural progression to bring our O licence fleet policies and procedures into line.
“Not only does this accreditation give confidence in our fleet operation, but it is a big boost to the team that has worked hard to meet the requirements of the standard.”
Bidvest’s director of fleet Graham Rennie comments: “It’s a privilege to receive this accreditation and be recognised by the FTA for our strong compliance culture, first rate processes and high levels of attainment in relation to the Operator licensing undertakings.”
Nick Davies, head of transport operations for Sainsbury’s, comments: “We are constantly looking to raise the bar on compliance so we are proud to obtain the FTA’s Truck Excellence accreditation...
“This has been an 18-month journey, working with the FTA and some of the UK’s best fleet operators to design and implement the Truck Excellence standard within our business and raise the bar in the industry.”