29 Oct 2018

Truck engineer out of pocket after NZTA suspension

From Morning Report, 6:17 am on 29 October 2018

A truck engineer suspended over what the NZ Transport Agency says are serious safety worries, has hit back. Patrick Chu of Auckland says his suspension from certifying heavy vehicles this month has left him with no customers and no income. He's among four certifiers suspended, as investigations into the vehicle inspection industry spread. But Mr Chu says the industry is riven with deep problems, including lack of expertise at NZTA and weak truck and trailer design. One of his customers, who runs a North Island truck repair workshop, and who RNZ agreed not to name, says Mr Chu's own engineering is up to scratch. RNZ agreed not to name him as many in the industry express widespread nervousness about speaking up.