LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Some fuel companies should be ashamed at the state of truckies' showers and toilets
For the last 11 years I have personally experienced filthy toilets and showers at truck stops and roadhouses operated by fuel companies all over Australia.
While there are facilities which are a pleasure to use, there are many which are not.
Numerous complaints have been reported to the staff of the sites, but return in a week or a month, nothing has improved. The public image of many of the fuel companies is disgraceful.
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Truckies and road pilot drivers use these facilities. These drivers are away from home for many days, even weeks, and depend on these sites for showers, toilets and meals.
The Heavy Vehicle National Law and the Regulator insist drivers take breaks as specified in the Work Diary.
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As a road pilot I have been abused for using the facilities, because I’m not a “truckie”. This is not an isolated incident. The trucks and pilots refuel at these facilities at the end of the long day or at specified breaks. They depend on being able to enjoy the services on the route, but are often very disappointed, and prefer to leave the filthy place.
Social media posts have detailed reports and photos of the worst toilets and showers.
Obviously, the staff of these sites don’t care, or can’t be bothered, to clean and provide polite, professional service.
There are numerous complaints reported on social media such as Facebook’s ‘On The Pads SA’, and ‘Trucks Food And Showers Australia Wide’ groups. I believe some of the fuel companies should be ashamed of their sites and the staff managing these properties should be brought to task.
The transport industry has the support of Western Australian Senator Glenn Sterle who is endeavouring to plead to the fuel companies to lift their standards across Australia. The truckies are too busy to fight for better facilities, so advocates have taken on the responsibility of getting this situation upgraded.
Consider the following challenge:
• How does that “clean” fuel get to the tanks and bowsers?
• Ok, then how do the supplies get to the cold room and storage?
• How many litres do they sell every day?
• How much of that is diesel for the trucks which bring the supplies in?
• How many coffees, meals or snacks do they sell to truckies?
So remind me again, why truckies and pilot drivers don’t deserve clean amenities? Pilots fuel up and eat too.
Christine Thiel
Self-employed pilot vehicle driver
Salisbury, SA