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Poles are thinking about changing their car because of Clean Transport Zones
The situation on the eastern border, EU regulations or the Polish Order, as well as unfavorable government plans supposedly intended to improve the situation of the TLS industry, cause more and more companies to go bankrupt or lay off employees.
– Unfortunately, our domestic companies, which until recently were a power in Europe (Poland was the leader or always in the top three), are no longer competitive and many entrepreneurs are increasingly using cheaper options offered, for example, by carriers from beyond the eastern border. The increase in fuel costs, employee maintenance costs and the reduction of concluded contracts deepen the bad situation of the most powerful branch of the Polish economy, which is transport. The latest statistics only confirm this – says Wojciech Romaniuk, president of MaWo Group and co-founder of the Polish Transport Ambassador Association.
Increased debt in the TLS industry, layoffs and strikes
According to the National Debt Register, the TLS industry is PLN 1.3 billion in debt after the second quarter of this year, of which road transport is responsible for over PLN 1 billion of debt. Companies also declare bankruptcy. In 2023, over half a thousand companies closed, and in the first quarter of 2024 alone, it was nearly 200.
– The situation surrounding transport is certainly very disturbing. Let us remember that transport is not only about drivers and transport companies. There are also hundreds of thousands of people in forwarding, logistics, truck and trailer manufacturers and much more. The decline in competitiveness in the international arena ultimately affects a huge number of people. Strikes are starting to become more frequent. Only in July there was another blockade near Szczecin, and roads in Silesia were blocked twice. Further blockades are also planned in Lower Silesia. The whole thing does not fill us with optimism, comments Wojciech Romaniuk.
Is there any chance to improve the situation?
The TLS industry in Poland accounts for as much as 6-7% of GDP, so the government should care that it operates dynamically and effectively. For some time now, experts have been outlining the biggest problems and proposing solutions that can help in the current difficult situation.
– What would certainly help at the moment is the restoration of allowances and lump sums for accommodation in international transport, which we are fighting for in the Polish Business Ambassador Association, but also funding for the replacement of tachographs, leasing holidays, deferral of ZUS payments for 6 months or the possibility of repayment in installments . In our opinion, e-CMR, i.e. Electronic Consignment Note, should be introduced as soon as possible and control over the lending of professional competence certificates should be increased. It is also necessary to increase the control of foreign entrepreneurs by the ITD. Without introducing the above changes, it will be very difficult to reverse the decline in the industry and the second half of 2024 will also end unfavorably – emphasizes Wojciech Romaniuk.
