Vancouver port defers truck age ban program to April 3, 2023

Avatar photo

The Port of Vancouver will defer implementation of the Rolling Truck Age Program by a final six months to April 3, 2023, according to a letter issued by the port authority on Sept. 3.

The program banning container-hauling trucks with model years older than 2006 in a bid to control emissions was expected to go into effect on Sept. 15.

Transport Canada indicated during discussions that a final adjustment to the program schedule would provide additional flexibility to better enable operators to comply with requirements, the letter addressed to Truck Licensing System (TLS) participants stated.

Port of Vancouver
(File Photo: Port of Vancouver)

All container trucking businesses looking to serve the port’s marine container terminals must meet certain criteria – including minimum truck age, safety, and environmental requirements – to access the federally owned port property under the TLS.

The United Truckers Association (UTA) has opposed the program and had threatened job action, but later agreed to delay the move after holding talks with port officials on July 30, staving off a likely shutdown at the busy West Coast facility.

UTA spokesman Gagan Singh told TruckNews.com that the group will continue to push for an end to the program and will work with lawmakers in parliament in this regard.

“We will hold a meeting every month, about 350 people attended our recent one on Sept. 3. The next meeting is on Oct. 9,” he said.

The port authority says trucking companies and drivers representing 80% of the 1,800 container trucks serving the port already comply with the program. Fewer than a dozen trucks would have been affected by the Sept. 15 deadline, the port authority said.

Avatar photo

Leo Barros is the associate editor of Today’s Trucking. He has been a journalist for more than two decades, holds a CDL and has worked as a longhaul truck driver. Reach him at leo@newcom.ca


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*

  • That’s good get the old junk off the roads and off the streets trucks should not be more than five years old I know some drivers have trucks on the road that are 1997 and 1982 yes I understand they might be safety and good for the road but your emissions are no good. I understand some of these drivers like their show and shine on the road but in a port facility it’s not good thank you