The Professional Organization of European Road Hauliers (Otre) has obtained aid of 400 million euros from the government to deal with the rise in fuel prices. The carriers therefore cancel the mobilization of March 21. The economic and social resilience plan presented on Wednesday March 16 by Prime Minister Jean Castex had not convinced the professional organizations of road transport. To maintain pressure on the government, they called on member companies to mobilize on March 21.
Following negotiations, Friday, March 18, the Minister of Transport and the professional organizations of the branch reached an agreement. L’Otre is pleased that “the road transport sector is finally recognized as one of the most exposed to rising input costs”. This agreement carries “out of a budget envelope of 400 million euros of direct aid to motor vehicles operated by road transport companies” (goods road transport, passenger road transport and medical transport).
Companies will receive aid per vehicle, multiplied by the number of vehicles in their fleet. In the goods transport sector, the amount will range from 300 euros for light commercial vehicles or vans to 1,300 euros for road tractors that pull semi-trailers, passing through 400 euros for trucks under 7 .5 tons. For passenger transport, the amount will be 300 euros for ambulances and light medical vehicles (VSL), 1,000 euros for coaches.
“This aid, which will concern approximately 520,000 vehicles, will be paid quickly to strengthen the cash flow of companies”, indicate in a joint press release the National Federation of Road Carriers (FNTR) and the Union of Transport and Logistics Companies of France (TLF). The two organizations “welcome this announcement and will ensure that its implementation is immediate and simple for companies and will remain vigilant on the proper application of the other measures of the resilience plan”. In addition to this aid, there is in particular a reduction of 15 euro cents excluding tax per liter at the pump and at the diesel tank for four months, from April 1 to July 31.
L’Otre, which seemed the most assertive, immediately lifted its call to carry out snail operations from Monday across France, but blockades and operations remain in progress across France, at the initiative of the more often farmers, winegrowers or public works representatives. They use GNR for their vehicles, a cheaper fuel than diesel found at the pump. But they do not benefit from specific aid that meets their expectations in the resilience plan. Hence these sporadic operations to block depots or snail operations reported in Brittany or Aude. However, the government seems ready to make an additional gesture towards farmers to try to calm the sling, and avoid the fire.
“We couldn’t not be helped in the current situation”reacted on Friday March 18 on franceinfo Jean-Marc Rivera, general delegate of the OTRE. “Our sector of activity, the government itself recognized, is a sector that is really strategic for our economy”he says before recalling that, during the health crisis, “the road transport of goods has guaranteed the maintenance of the supply chain” just like the “medical transport” (ambulances) and “passenger carriers transported our children and employees going to work.”
According to Jean-Marc Rivera, if this aid granted by the State is “fresh air” for road transport companies, their financial situation remains fragile all the same. He denounces in particular the fact that “payment deadlines have lengthened” and that carrier customers “do not respect the 30-day payment rule.” The general delegate of the OTRE therefore warns: “If nothing changes, especially in the behavior of our customers to accept a fair commercial negotiation, we will still be in difficulty in the months that follow.”