The Road Transport Forum is welcoming NZ Transport Agency’s decision to back-flip and cover the cost of tow bar recertification involving suspended heavy vehicle specialist certifier Patrick Chu.
NZTA had previously said it would not reimburse costs to customers following the suspension of Chu, an Auckland-based engineer.
It’s good news for the three local tow bar manufacturers caught up in the crossfire between the agency and their customers.
Aro Bros director Shirley Aro, who was one of the signatories to the letter sent to NZTA by the manufacturers protesting its original stance on the issue, says common sense has prevailed.
“This decision comes six weeks after our customers were first told by NZTA that they had to pay for their tow bars to be re-certified, and after we first wrote to the agency with our concerns,” she says.
“Over the past six weeks, we’ve had very stressed customers asking us why their tow bars need to be re-certified, or telling us that they can’t find a NZTA certifier over the summer holidays, or that they want us to pay for their re-certifications.
It has been an incredibly stressful time for us all,” Aro says.
Acting for the agency, Meredith Connell, managing partner and NZTA regulatory compliance lead Steve Haszard met with Aro following an urgent NZTA Board meeting.
“At that meeting, we understand the board made a decision that NZTA would pay for all tow bar re-certifications,” Aro says.
“We are putting out this statement because affected tow bar owners are continuing to get in touch with us and we wanted to give them the good news as soon as possible,” she says.
“We are really pleased that the NZTA board intervened and that common sense prevailed.It is good to have some positive news to tell our customers for a change,” Aro says.
Haszard says the agency has agreed to cover the cost of inspections, recertifications and any necessary repairs or replacements.
While the Agency believes the liability of covering the costs lies with Chu, this decision has been made in order to lessen the impact of the revocations on vehicle owners.
“Safety is the NZ Transport Agency’s top priority, which is why the decisions to revoke some certifications have been made.
We make no apology for putting safety first, but we know that this action has had an unfortunate impact on some businesses and individuals,” Haszard says.
“After reviewing the circumstances of the affected vehicle owners and the impact of the revocation of tow bars certified by Chu on associated businesses, we have agreed to cover these costs,” he says
Vehicle owners will be provided with details on the refund process for recertifications and repairs next week.
Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggett says the right decision has been made.
“I think most people would agree that it is unfair for road transport operators to cover costs of recertification of their towing equipment.
There is no fault on the side of these operators and they shouldn’t have had to pay twice.
We had advocated to NZTA they should fund this work and we are very pleased that they have now agreed to do so,” Leggett says.
