Author:jim-ward

Garlic, beetroot and breakdowns June 5, 2023 It’s easy to forget the details now, but JIM WARD reveals that managing transport during the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Southern Africa was one of the most challenging periods of his career. Between 1998 and 2006, I knew of depots in some provinces that were losing employees almost every month, despite the Mbeki presidency’s insistent adherence to its stance of AIDS denialism. As Amy Roeder, the development communications coordinator in the Office for Resource […]

An oily layer of subterfuge May 17, 2023 Sometimes the transport industry can read like a remarkably entertaining thriller. From visits to the ‘Mashonisa’ to siphoning diesel during breaks, JIM WARD has seen it all. Few things work properly in Mzansi, but garnishee orders have long been an exception. Town sheriffs have regularly delivered court orders to debit monies at source from drivers in repayment arrears or owing maintenance. Occasionally, family has acted against family, with even aunts suing nephews […]

Soft Rubber, Hard Roads March 31, 2023 When calculating operating costs, averages are often used for budgeting, but they should always be treated with caution. In a large fleet of identical vehicles all using the same route, an average cost will generally be an accurate cost. A small fleet operating on significantly different routes, however, will require a more nuanced approach, writes JIM WARD. Take the case of an operation running three low-tare rigid drawbar combinations in the Eastern Cape. […]

Lies, damned lies and rates February 27, 2023 Don’t ever let anyone tell you that being in the transport game is easy, writes JIM WARD. Instead, he says it is fraught with potential pitfalls – that can cost a business dearly. The South African transport sector is widely recognised as one of the most contested and competitive industries of its kind anywhere in the world. This translates into pressure on manufacturer and operator alike, seen in ferocious performance targets for […]

Enforced speed limits will bathe our roads in blood February 3, 2023 Amidst the noise and chaos of the spate of deadly heavy goods vehicle accidents we are experiencing – especially those involving coal side tipper interlinks – JIM WARD suspects that the far-reaching effects of a menacing piece of legislation have been largely overlooked. On 11 November 2016, goods vehicles with a GVM or GCM above 9 000 kg were restricted legally to a maximum speed of 80 km/h. These speed restrictions were implemented […]