COPE CONFIRMS GOOD NEWS FOR SMALL TRANSPORT OPERATORS

Pat the Cope has been advised by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey, that he has now amended the transport policy relating to Transport Managers engaged by road transport operators.

Pat the Cope worked on the issue while he was Minister for State for Transport and he is delighted that, that policy has now been amended.

This change means that the new policy will allow for road transport operators “to engage Transport Mangers who can also have other employment, with limits on the number of vehicles they can manage in total, depending on the number of days in other employment. Transport Manager will be permitted to work for more than one operator depending on the number of vehicles”.

This would significantly ease the cost burden on small operators in
Ireland, and remove some of the current constraints.

“This effectively means that someone who owns a small transport business in Donegal could employ a person to operate as their transport manager who works for a number of operators.”

The number of vehicles one can manage has been provided for in line with forthcoming European Legislation for “admission to the occupation of road transport operators”. A Transport Manager may operate for 4 small operators with a combined maximum of 50 vehicles.

“All initiatives such as this will ease the burden of red tape for small
businesses”. The policy changes have now been approved by the Minister and will be implemented immediately,” concluded Pat the Cope.