RUSHcast; Predictions for Fleet Operators in 2022 | AHDT S2#40

2022 promises to be a challenging year for all Fleet Operators in the UK, in this RUSHcast I discuss the predictions for fleet operators, from myself and some of my colleagues.

The suggestions include; James and Kirk @ RoadRadar & Flare;

1. Vehicles will become ‘smarter’ in order to increase safety and reduce ongoing costs associated with insurance or incidents. It would be great to understand the loss of a vehicle or driver today vs just a few years ago and the impact to the business.

2. Operational costs will continue to increase – fuel, driver demand, etc will continue to put a squeeze on fleet operators

Flagship's Compliance Guy; Jamie B

LST’s to be given the go ahead- Longer Semi Trailer trailers have been on trial for the last 9 years. The trial involves longer semi-trailers of 14.6 metres and 15.65 metres in length (17.5 metres and 18.55 metres total vehicle lengths respectively)

More focus on alternative fuels and electrification. Hydrogen internal combustion engines could also become the solution for longer haul tractors and I think there will be more breakthroughs in that area of development in 2022.

More clean air zones planned. Bradford and Manchester are already planning to start in 2022 but more cities I’m sure will follow when they see how much money that they could make.

Flagship's Training Guy Mike V

Covid, or rather the government's reaction to Covid isn't over yet and I foresee more restrictions coming in January which will be lockdown by the back door (and without the Furlough) which will be challenging times for the training industry as it will inevitably lead to smaller classes and people canceling training through the fear factor. Couple this with staff shortages due to self isolation within the transport sector, January could be bleak indeed. The perfect storm of DCPC training being put back because of Covid, and the belief in some transport managers that the government's review of DCPC could possible scrap it (it won't as it's not even being considered as an option) leading them to delay training bookings coupled with the onrushing 2024 will lead to a tsunami of demand for DCPC training in the latter half of 2022. Unless the political landscape changes the winter of 2022 could be a repeat of the last two with uncertainty about lockdown and restrictions returning.

The government's conclusion of its review of DCPC training is due in March. I doubt much will change except for the inclusion of more online content and possibly placing more activities 'out of scope'

The scrapping of the requirement for B license holders to take an additional test to tow a trailer of over 750kgs while bad from a road safety point of view will provide an opportunity to training providers as companies realise that although legally not mandated the risk of allowing untrained drivers loose is too great and they voluntarily take training on. This I believe will lead to a general awareness of the value of training in the sub 3.5t category. Van and fleet products will be in demand.

Fuel prices will continue to rise further squeezing operators margins and upping the pace for electric vehicles. Training topics that will begin to appear in 2022 will be the inclusion of EV awareness and safety.

The conclusion of another government consultation is due mid year. This one is the tri-annual review into the workings of the Office of the Traffic Commissioner. I don't think much will change but expect to see a more approachable and open communication opportunity from the TC's.

The TC's are reviewing the syllabus and qualification of TMCPC itself. We don't expect too many changes although the industry is keen to move back to a National/International mix. I suspect that would be too political and would need a legislation change away from the current EU compliant version but it's one to watch. Although the value of the International exam may diminish there would be, in training terms, an opportunity for more people to take a plunge and sit a National qualification.

From April 2022 there will be a requirement for vans over 2.5t being operated for hire and reward internationally to be included on an international operators license. This affects hardly any UK operators but will at least increase the awareness in van operations and give van operators an insight into the direction of travel in terms of upcoming regulation of that sector. Oh and Pompey will get promoted to the Championship in May !

Listen in for further suggestions from myself and other community members. Don't forget to subscribe and join our community group on Facebook, the Transport Manager & Consultants Hub.