From the DA Chief Executive, Phillip Stone

Why YOU Need to Belong to a Trade Association for Couriers -

2008 offer ...
join the DA for only £50!

My Annual Rant

“ Dear Phil, - I am looking around to try & find a trade body that I might join, in able to get my views and concerns aired to the government about the effects of their policies on my business and countless others in the courier industry.

I have researched a number of other organisations, and it appears that all the 'big boys' or National & International courier companies have aligned themselves and are represented in Parliamentary Select Committee meetings by AICES. In the meantime, the FTA and RHA appear to represent the interest of the haulage industry and a whole bunch of Unions represent the individual rights of transport workers.

I have been examining the records of the Transport Select Committee meeting on the 16th January 2008 and their enquiry into Freight Transport. I am particularly concerned that the interest of the small courier business did not seem represented at this meeting, with only a marginal crossover with the interests of AICES members, the FTA and RHA. Can I ask why The Dispatch Association was not there?

It seemed that the arguments and suggestions for various policies did not take into consideration the operation of the multitude of small businesses supplying same day (essential) delivery services around the country, and their impact on the road transport system. It seemed very much centered on getting freight off of roads and onto rail, the possible use of ships & waterways for transport, deliveries at night, introduction of larger lorries and legislation for road pricing and the lack of enforcement of legislation of foreign drivers.
Nowhere was the facts put forward about the benefits of small footprint vehicles making deliveries into city centres, which include

1) The removal of larger vehicles trying to deliver into the centre of our already congested cities, (which includes reducing the impact of pollution and damage caused by larger vehicles in our cities, and
2) The removal of vehicles from the road due to the consolidation of work by Courier Companies, making deliveries for more than one company.

Also, no-one really put forward the effects of fuel prices on the small business, which cannot take advantage of the economies of scale of the larger companies, and are suffering to the point of extinction or not being able to compete with the large companies and their next day or same day delivery prices (which large companies can run as a loss leader to mop up the market). No one really put forward an argument against night deliveries, which would not only force people to come into work to receive goods (which was covered by the committee), but that it would force drivers into driving at night to make the deliveries & deprive them of any kind of quality of life.

In addition to the lack of representation in parliament, I have also not seen much evidence of representations made to the Mayor of London on a comprehensive transport policy for London. As such, I have tried communicating with the Mayor of London's office regarding a number of issues, which includes

1) The use of Bus lanes by Taxis, and why couriers cannot use them and also be exempt from congestion charge. (The premise is that the vehicles are used for multiple passengers during the day, so reducing the number of vehicles on the road. The thing is, so do I but with small / medium freight deliveries).
2) In addition I have complained about the lack of coherent transport policy regarding enforcement and parking legislation across London. It seems OK to impose a low emission zone on the businesses delivering to London, or impose a congestion charge, which covers many Council districts, but parking policy and enforcement is a lottery depending on which Council covers the area in which you are working!

Can you assure me that items like these are going to be raised with the relevant authorities and really try & get some common sense policies acted on by the politicians?

If so, I might be tempted to part with £200 a year, to join your organisation.

Kind Regards,
(name and courier company supplied but withheld)

We replied:

Dear XXX,
It is precisely because you are not a member of the DA that:
1.) you have to fight these issues on your own - laudable but will get you nowhere
2.) you are unaware of what the DA has been doing on all these fronts over many years and how we have achieved many notable successes, including the trialling of bus lanes for despatch riders

I say to you that instead of trying to bargain your way into the DA, put your money where your mouth is, join the DA upfront now and join likeminded others who, because they are a member of the only trade association for couriers, are already doing something about the issues you mention.

It's not about “tempting” you to be part of the DA. It's more the case that if you are really serious, you have a duty and responsibility to join us.

Otherwise, like some other proprietors who only think of the DA when things get bad enough, you will only end up whistling in the wind.

We would be happy to have you aboard, where you can have an impact.

Regards,
Phillip Stone, Chief Executive, The Despatch Association and Riders and Drivers Associates