A HIGHLY-respected government adviser has called on fleet managers to take responsibility for corporate commuter plans, in addition to their company car duties. Stephen Joseph, chief executive of environmental lobby Transport 2000, said the time was ripe for fleet managers to become transport and travel managers for all the employees in their organisations, not just the company car drivers.

This opportunity will be reinforced by the forthcoming white paper on integrated transport, which Joseph said was likely to continue the Government's investigation into changing company car tax breaks from business to private mileage. As a result, the further company car drivers drive to the office, the higher their tax bill, since commuting counts as private mileage. And in a double whammy, those in receipt of free fuel for private motoring will pay through the nose for the perk.

'The Association of Car Fleet Operators could become the Association of Transport Managers, and start to manage commuting plans,' said Joseph. 'I think the white paper will recognise the company car as an essential business tool, but it may question what is essential use.'