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Port Metro Vancouver plans to drastically cut licences for truckers conducting business there — the reduction will be at least 25 per cent.
The news came Wednesday at a press conference hosted by Raitt, B.C. transport minister Todd Stone and Port Metro CEO Robin Silvester. They introduced plans for a new truck licensing system – most notable was the recommendation to significantly cut the number of licenses available for truckers at Port Metro.
There are currently 2,000 Port Metro truck licenses.
“To give you an idea, some people say it’s 1,200 licenses [that are needed], some people say it’s 1,500 licenses that are needed,” said Raitt. “I can’t give you an exact number, but I can give you that range.”
With up to a 40% cut in new licenses, not only independent owner-operators, but potentially entire companies, will lose the opportunity to work for Port Metro Vancouver.
The need for a new truck licensing system, which hasn’t been updated since 2005, was brought to public attention during the Port Metro truckers’ strike that ran from Feb. 26 to March 26.
The government hopes to have the new system implemented by Feb. 1, 2015. The new license agreement will also focus on new standards and requirements for attaining a license, including driver sponsorship agreements, license charges, damage deposits and performance bonds.
Agencies/Canadajournal
