VANCOUVER, B.C. – Peter Xotta, vice-president of planning and operations for Port Metro Vancouver released a statement earlier this week regarding its new Truck Licensing System (TLS).

The TLS is part of the Joint Action Plan agreed to by the driver representatives and the provincial and federal governments last year.

“Reforms to the licensing system include reducing the number of trucks approved to provide service to port terminals,” the statement read. “This was necessary because there were previously too many trucks for the amount of available work. This change was requested by drivers, trucking companies and others during extensive consultation done in the fall because drivers stated they could not get enough work to make a decent living.”

Xotta addressed and advised self-employed truck drivers who were displaced from TLS and gave them information on financial opportunities to help.

“The information was sent to all trucking companies and independent operators who were registered with Port Metro Vancouver prior to February 1,” said Xotta. “It includes the application form and details of how transition support payments will be calculated. Some drivers may be eligible for up to $15,000, depending on how much work they have done at the port in the past seven months and provided they are not participating in disruptive activities that have an adverse effect on the port, its tenants or its neighbours.”

For more information, visit, www.porttalk.ca/transitionsupport.