Truckers have pledged to throw their support behind new Transport Minister Terry Lister after he promised to tackle concerns over illegal use of trucks.Richard Foggo, president of the Bermuda General Truckers Association, met Mr Lister a week and a half ago to brief him on longstanding problems.Association members are upset that owners of private trucks such as landscapers and carpenters use them illegally to transport large items such as furniture for cash, taking business away from general truckers. Mr Foggo told members at a meeting last night: “I spoke to him about getting more TCD officers to police the illegal trucking that’s going on. His response was he’s looking to have the officers he has do more work, because if they organise properly, they can get more done.”Mr Foggo also discussed the illegal use of tractor-trailer dumpsters with the Minister. Truckers say the Motor Car Act restricts larger dumpsters to carrying demolition rubble such as bulk concrete, steel, large trees and other heavy materials.They are concerned the vehicles have been illegally used to transport loads such as sand, soil and gravel, again taking business away from general truckers. Mr Lister also pledged to address that concern, according to Mr Foggo, and the results are already showing.“I’m not sure if you guys noticed but the dumpsters have just about stopped. The message has gotten through that these trucks are not allowed to move [these items],” he told members. “The Minister has moved to uphold the law and has instructed the traffic officers to enforce it.”He said officers have been instructed to issue warnings and tickets to offenders. And he urged association members and the general public to help Mr Lister in the crackdown.“He says if there’s any suspicion of this taking place, he does not need names. Take a photo of the company that’s doing this stuff and give it to me or [association vice president] Carlton Smith and we will give it to him,” he explained.Mr Foggo said the association had been “struggling” over the past four years to get the previous Minister, Ewart Brown, to address their concerns. However, he said Mr Lister had “done right,” and “we will give him our support”.He added: “It’s a substantial start because they have been taking a lot of work from us, a lot of money. We have suffered at the hands of illegal trucking.”Mr Smith, who was recently elected vice president of the association, also encouraged the public to help tackle illegal activity.He told The Royal Gazette a private truck permit costs $3,000 or less, but a permit for hire, which is needed for general trucking, costs $80,000.That is why general truckers get upset when those with the cheaper licences steal their business to make cash illegally.“Look out for people moving people’s houses, or taking stuff from people’s yards and dumping it without a hire permit,” he advised. “A license plate for a vehicle with a permit for hire has ‘H’ as the last letter of the license plate and is authorised to charge for pick up, delivery and haulage.”Mr Smith said people with photographs or a bill or invoice related to illegal trucking should send it to him, and he will ensure it reaches the Minister. Mr Smith, who runs Hustler International Transport, can be reached on carlton[AT]hustlerintertrans.com.