POPULAR WORDS

February 5, 2010

Victoria’s peak representative body is planning to use the inaugural TruckWeek to “to get the facts straight” on the trucking industry.

The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) has thrown its weight behind the initiative, which is designed to highlight the importance of the trucking industry to the public.

VTA CEO Philip Lovel says he will use the event to point out why Australia needs trucks, the professional nature of drivers, the lack of rail as an alternative to road freight and the need for higher productivity vehicles.

“The transport and logistics industry is critical to the economic growth and sustainability of Australia’s economy. It provides a vital service, moving people and freight locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, using a variety of modes,” Lovel says.

“It’s time to get the facts straight and support this vital industry.”

TruckWeek runs from February 21 to 27 and was set up by the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), which has urged trucking companies to be involved by holding events such as sausage sizzles.

The NSW branch of the ATA has asked politicians to spend a day with a trucking company to get an idea of what life is like on a daily basis in the industry.