We would like to start by wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year, from all at Days Fleet. Let’s hope this year brings more normality for everyone. We have lots going on in 2022 including a new website, new Driver App, new driver packs which will include QR codes for quick access to information. We’ll release more information on all of these during the year.
Welcome to the January edition of our newsletter, included in this month’s update:
Changes to London Congestion Charge
Transport for London (TfL) has announced that there will be no congestion charge after 6pm from 21st February 2022.
Operating hours on weekends and bank holidays will also be reduced from 12pm to 6pm. The current charge level of £15, however, will be retained after it was raised from £11.50 during the pandemic.
Other permanent changes being implemented include:
- The deadline will be extended for making a delayed payment to three days after the day of travel. The delayed payment charge is £17.50
- The Auto Pay and Fleet Auto Pay discount will be removed
- The ability for residents to pay by App or online for multiple consecutive charging days will be removed
- The majority of the changes came into force on 20th December 2021, aside from the changes to hours of operation, which will take place on 21st February 2022.
In August and September 2021, Transport for London (TfL) held public consultations on a proposal to increase the fine level for drivers who fail to follow the rules on TfL managed roads. On review of the public consultation, the Mayor of London has approved the fine level increase which will be implemented from 17 January.
Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are issued to drivers who breach the regulations controlling London’s busiest roads, covering offences such as driving in a bus lane, making a banned turn, or parking illegally on the red route.
The increase is from £130 to £160 and brings the charge in line with inflation. The new Penalty Charge will continue to be reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days; and to be increased by 50% if paid late (after 28 days). Overall, there has been a 26% increase in the number of PCNs issued for parking, loading, bus lane and moving traffic contraventions between 2016 and 2019. The increase of the Penalty Charge level is being introduced to allow traffic to move safely and efficiently along some of the busiest roads in London.
Charity Fundraising
Every Christmas, Days Fleet organises fundraising for a nominated charity. We recently chose to support Cerebral Palsy Cymru due to the support they have given to the son of our Client Support Team Leader, Gareth Davies.
Through the generosity of suppliers donating prizes and making donations and the commitment and generosity of all our staff we raised a staggering £2,200. Christmas quizzes, raffles, auctions and donations in lieu of cards all lead to reaching this amazing amount for a great charity.
We also raised £125 during our Christmas Jumper Day activities.
Well done to everyone involved!
We have decided to continue our support and make ‘Cerebral Palsy Cymru’ our Charity of the Year for 2022.
Motor Insurers Database
We regularly receive notifications of vehicles owned by Days Fleet which are not registered on the Motor Insurance Database (MID) and thought it was worthy of a reminder to our clients.
The MID is a centralised database of motor insurance policy information of all insured UK vehicles and is accessed by the police over 2 million times per month or 2500 times per hour. It is a legal requirement that vehicle insurance information is held on this database.
ALL insurers who underwrite motor insurance for vehicles on UK roads are obliged to be members of the MIB and to submit the policy details of ALL vehicles to the MID. The process of getting the information to the MID is managed by MIB but the data is loaded directly by the Insurers and their representatives. You may not be aware of whether or not your vehicles are on this database as it will be your insurer’s responsibility; however it is important that this is checked on a regular basis as any penalty incurred will be our clients liability.
If you have any questions regarding this, please contact your Insurance Company/Broker or click here.
Supply and Staffing Issues
The vehicle industry as a whole continues to feel the effects of the pandemic, Brexit and semi conductor shortages. Vehicle lead times have increased significantly over recent times, we even have some vehicle orders with an estimated delivery date in 2023! As a result we continue to encourage all of our clients who have vehicles due for replacement in the next 12 to 15 months to start their renewal process now. Our team are happy to start discussing quotations and orders as early as possible.
Self isolation also continues to have knock on effects on vehicle manufacturers, dealer and service outlets. To keep our clients service experience as high as possible we always recommend booking a service, MOT or repair online where processes are automated and are not affected by staff shortages.
There are increased lead times on service and MOT bookings as a result of general staff shortages and isolations, so please book as far in advance as possible using our online booking portal.
New EV’s Launching in 2022
According to the latest vehicle stats, the EV market is booming. Electric passenger car sales increased by 186% in 2020 and today there are an estimated 370,000 EVs on the road in the UK and 710,000 plug-in hybrids.
Nearly every car manufacturer now has a plan for transforming its product line-up, and many have already spent years investing in plug-in vehicles. Growth of the EV market is expected to accelerate in the coming years as the UK prepares itself for the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicle sales.
Below, we have listed just some of the new vehicles which are likely to hit the road this year.
Audi Q6 e-Tron
Citroen Ami
Cupra Born
Dacia Spring
Polestar 3
Volvo XC90
If you would like more information on EV’s, please contact your account management team or email [email protected]
Meet the Team – Mark Jenkins, Logistics Manager
Joined Days Fleet in February 2019
1. What is your role within Days Fleet?
Managing a large team within Logistics to ensure vehicles are delivered and or collected at the right place at the right time anywhere in the UK.
2. What do you enjoy most about your role with Days Fleet?
No two days are the same. When arranging deliveries and collections I get to speak to many people from all walks of life hearing many different stories. I don’t see this as work as I enjoy speaking with people both customers and work colleagues often engaging in ‘banter’ and always smiling and laughing along the way. I mostly enjoy the problem solving scenarios that any Logistics role brings as there are many different external factors out there that can hamper your best made plans. I have learnt it is always best to have a back up plan and to think on your feet.
3. What has been the most challenging part of working during the pandemic?
Working In the office throughout the pandemic with colleagues either working from home or on furlough, I have missed the interaction especially the ‘office banter’. It was also difficult when we were all in lockdown, especially the first one as there were very few deliveries and collections we could do. It was difficult when the rules for the devolved countries were, and still are, different, keeping up with these rules when sending delivery/collection agents across the UK was difficult to say the least – but we did persevere adapting, as we all have, along the way.
4. What would you like to achieve in 2022?
More sand sea and great company with friends and family. I have visited many beautiful places in the UK the past year (some which were right on my doorstep and I didn’t even know about) which I may not have if restrictions were not in place. However, for me being abroad drinking a cocktail whilst the sun is shining down on you on a sun lounger, completely relaxed – that’s the best, you can’t beat that!
5. What are you most looking forward to now that restrictions are easing?
Normality!
Customer Survey
During December we sent out a link to our Customer Survey and we’d like to thank all clients that took the time to complete. If you are yet to complete yours, we’d really appreciate 5 minutes of your time so that your feedback can be used for staff development and training and continuous improvement. You can still take part in the survey by clicking here.
For every completed survey submitted, we will make a £5 donation to our nominated charity for 2022 – Cerebral Palsy Cymru.
Welcome back Lauren
We are delighted to welcome back our Purchasing Team Leader, Lauren Rolfe, following her maternity leave. Florence recently turned one and Lauren is looking forward to settling back into her role.
Job Vacancies
Days Fleet currently has the following vacancies available:
Client Support Administrator – for details and application, please click here
Accounts Clerk – for details and application, please click here
Client Services Administrator – for details and application, please click here