TfL’s FORS scheme privatised for nationwide rollout
Transport for London (TfL) has handed its Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) over to a consortium led by Aecom, and including the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport and Fleet Source.
Operators who wish to become members of the accreditation scheme will now have to pay an annual subscription based on their fleet size, and an audit fee calculated on the number of operating centres they wish to be accredited.
Companies that were already FORS-accredited before 17 February 2015 will now be charged for annual membership renewal.
For new members, the annual subscription ranges from £65 for one vehicle to £2,250 for a fleet of more than 100 trucks. The audit fee is £450 per operating centre, with operators running three vehicles or less being charged £420. Follow-up audits are £100 for a ‘desk-based follow-up’ of £235 for an operating centre visit.
FORS grades accredited operators according to the safety and environmental standards they attain.
Transport for London said: “FORS is an extremely successful scheme but as 65 per cent of accredited operators are now based outside London it has grown beyond TfL’s remit.
“To ensure it can continue to grow, TfL has appointed Aecom to run FORS, following an extensive and thorough procurement process. This will enable FORS to become a national scheme using a sustainable business model to cover operating costs and future development.
“This announcement does not change FORS standards or accreditation. Aecom has been the FORS administrator since 2008, they understand how FORS works, its value to the industry and is committed to its long-term growth and success.”
Membership of FORS is frequently required for truck operators tendering for public sector contracts in London.
