THE United Truckers Association (UTA) will mark its 13th anniversary on Sunday, October 11, at 11:30 a.m. at Grand Taj Banquet Hall in Surrey, bringing together truckers, independent owner-operators, industry representatives, community members and public officials to discuss some of the most pressing issues affecting the trucking industry at the moment.
Since its formation in October 2013, UTA has worked to give truckers a strong and independent voice with governments, regulators and public agencies. As the association enters its 14th year, its immediate focus is on two issues that continue to affect drivers every day: the rising cost of operating a truck and the lack of safe, legal and affordable truck parking.
UTA is asking the Province to introduce temporary fuel-tax relief for eligible independent owner-operators. The proposed relief would be equivalent to the provincial and regional motor-fuel taxes currently charged on clear diesel in the Lower Mainland, totalling 27.5 cents per litre.
For an owner-operator, fuel is only one part of the cost of staying on the road. Truck payments, insurance, maintenance, repairs and licensing costs continue even when work is slow or inconsistent. UTA believes any relief must go directly to eligible truckers and must not reduce existing fuel-surcharge, regulated-rate or other compensation protections.
UTA is also calling for a clear automatic fuel-price trigger. Whenever the retail price of diesel rises above $1.50 per litre, eligible truckers should receive relief from the applicable provincial and regional fuel taxes until the price falls below that level. A predictable trigger would allow truckers and government to respond to exceptionally high fuel prices without waiting for a crisis.
” A trucker should be able to provide a livelihood. When fuel and operating costs rise beyond a reasonable level, governments have to recognize the pressure being placed on independent truckers who are putting food and other essentials on the tables of British Columbians and Canadians,” it says.
UTA is also renewing its call for a permanent solution to the truck parking shortage across Surrey, Delta and the Lower Mainland. Truckers provide an essential service, yet many still struggle to find a safe and legal place to park after completing their workday. UTA is calling for the creation of a Truck Parking Task Force as a joint initiative between the Province and municipalities. The task force should identify suitable sites, coordinate land-use and approval processes, and develop a long-term plan for properly serviced truck-parking facilities in major transportation and industrial areas. Truck parking should be treated as essential transportation infrastructure, not as an afterthought, the UTA says.
