GOODAYE all. I have just arrived in Melbourne having brought Ben Maguire along for a trip. Ben is the CEO of the Australian Trucking Assoc and we discussed many of the issues drivers want addressed during the trip down from Dubbo. Rest areas and the need for more and the recognition of the need for decent facilities for drivers was at the top of the list.
I have dealt with the ATA for many years and welcome Ben to the roll and look forward to working with him to achieve some improvements and changes. Ben agrees there is a lot to do and that we have every right to say that not enough has been done thus far to improve the lot of drivers on the road.
The ATA did also contribute to the new truck rest area design guidelines and will support a serious push to see more provided. The ATA does have far more access to those in power than I am likely to achieve and I aim to continue to work with them to achieve improvements for drivers.I will be sending Ben my ideal rest area plan and other pieces for comment and action.
We discussed a number of things we may be able to do together in the future and I thank him for giving me his time and for coming along for a trip in the TIV. He will be asked to fill in the TIV riders form with comments and suggestions and we will see what we can do together.
We stopped at Wagga Wagga on the way down and filmed a TRUCK That interview with Ben and another with Lee Campbell who is trying among other things, to get a truckstop built there and has put quite a lot of effort in to see it happen. Whilst there is a long way to go, nothing will change unless you have a go.
I will be unloading and reloading in Melbourne TODAY for Dubbo, then plan to reload for Melbourne to be here for Wednesday to get the TIV washed and then into MEGATRANS from Thursday till Saturday. if you are planning to attend come and say hello and I will be working on the next TIV and we will be doing some further interviews for TRUCK That for May.Safe Travelling, Rod Hannifey.
TRUCKRIGHT 