Transporting New Zealand has welcomed Government work to remove regulatory barriers aimed at improving freight productivity and reducing diesel use, saying urgent action is needed to support the economy and protect jobs.
Chief executive Dom Kalasih says the organisation has been working with officials on a number of the proposed measures, including changes to the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule and improved access for over-dimension vehicles.
“These are practical productivity gains that will deliver immediate relief to businesses and consumers around the country. Modest increases in payloads and more efficient routes mean fewer trips, lower fuel use, and reduced vehicle operating costs across the supply chain,” Kalasih says.
He says while heavier trucks use more diesel, higher payloads reduce fuel use per tonne of freight moved.
“Heavier trucks use more diesel, but increased payloads reduce the diesel intensity per tonne of freight moved, that is clearly established from the data we’ve been able to provide officials. There are also associated vehicle cost savings including road user charges, wages, tyre wear, and reduced repair and maintenance requirements,” he says.
Kalasih says the focus should now shift to implementation.
“We have members with trucks parked up, as high diesel prices start to impact energy intensive activities such as construction and log harvesting, and customers who are able to warehouse stock delay transport. Unless we get some downward pressure on transport costs this is going to seriously impact economic growth and jobs,” he says.
“Diesel prices have more than doubled, with the cost of fueling a linehaul truck increasing by over $500 per day. That’s a huge cost for transport companies and their customers to meet.”
He says the proposed changes would provide immediate benefits and should be progressed quickly.
“These freight productivity measures are common sense improvements that can deliver immediate benefits. We encourage the Government to move quickly to put them in place rather than waiting to see if the situation will get worse,” Kalasih says.
Transporting New Zealand says it will continue working with the Ministry of Transport and the New Zealand Transport Agency on the development and implementation of the proposals.
