Posts Tagged ‘van’

Road Scholar Transport Launches New Facebook Page!

Friday, October 5th, 2012

facebook page

We want fans, not followers.  That’s why Road Scholar has created a new Facebook page that combines fun with the ease of shipping.  Check out all of the new things you can do at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Road-Scholar-Transport/141609205912305!

Get a freight quote

You can now request a truckload or LTL rate directly through our Facebook page.

Scholar dollars

Introducing Road Scholar’s new customer rewards program that awards YOU the customer, simply for submitting rates online…no purchase necessary!  Learn more and sign up.  Now that’s rewarding.

Photos

You can view all of your favorite awareness trucks by visiting our photo album.  New photos are always being added so check in daily to see what new truck has recently hit the road!

Work for us

Road Scholar is always looking for experienced drivers to join our qualified fleet, offering a $1500 sign on bonus, excellent pay and equipment, and much more.  To apply for a driver position, check out the “work for us” section today.

Connect with us

Join us not only on Facebook, but across all of our social media platforms…Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Blogging, and Youtube.

Security measures

Learn about all of the ways Road Scholar is keeping your freight safe and secure during transport.

Services

Did you know that Road Scholar offers Autohauling, Van and Reefer Service, as well as hauls both LTL and TL freight?  Learn more under our “services” section.

Awareness program

It started with one pink truck in support of breast cancer and grew into a fleet spreading awareness for organizations including The Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation, Parkinson’s Disease, Marley’s Mission, and more.  View all of our awareness trucks and look for upcoming ones.

Youtube

Road Scholar has created videos to help stop bullying, memorialize the victims of 9/11, spread breast cancer messages of hope, and more.  View them all here.

Games

You know what they say about all work and no play.  So take a break and check out our games section where you can play our Awareness Matching Game or enter our NFL, NASCAR, PGA, and March Madness pools for a shot to win prizes!

Surveys

Your input is important to us.  That’s why we conduct monthly surveys with one random recipient winning a $25 gift card of their choice each month.

Contact

Drop us a line.  We always want to hear from you!

So what are you waiting for?  Head on over to our fan page today!

Facebook Like

Cass Freight Index Reports 18.8% Rise in 2011 Freight Quotes with Higher Rates Yet to Come

Monday, January 9th, 2012

The Cass Freight Index, measuring freight volumes and expenditures in North America, recently released its 2011 freight quote findings and rate expectations for 2012.freight

Despite low volume increases of 0.7% last year compared to 2010, carriers dealing with rising costs in doing business (from employment to fuel prices) increased their rates, surging freight costs by 18.8% in 2011, the Cass Freight Index states.

As The Journal of Commerce explained, “Shippers hoped to hold rate increases in the 4 to 5 percent range last year, while many carriers eyed increases of 8 percent or more,” with the trucking companies settling on average at a 4 percent increase (http://www.joc.com/truckload/truckload-rates-set-rise-transcore-says).

While shippers were hoping for lower rates, the railroad industry rapidly increased their rates up to 15 percent, with shippers turning towards rail due to truck capacity shortage.

The trucking industry noticed an increase in both spot market and contract rates.  Spot market rates raised an average of 7.4 percent, with the greatest increases in the beginning of 2011, while contract rates increased 6.5 percent, mostly in the third and fourth quarters, Journal of Commerce notes.

When looking at the commodity of freight, the Cass Freight Index acknowledges that dry van rates increased 5.5% since 2010, reefer rates by 4.1%, and flatbed by 5.7%.

Although it would seem that higher rates would lead to larger profits for carriers, operation, equipment, and maintenance costs (among others) has lead the majority of carriers to “just keep pace with increasing costs….not gaining any ground” (http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=75704).

And according to the Index, these rates are expected to grow even more throughout this year, with capacity remaining tight and the chance to improve with a GDP growth expectation remaining below 3%.

As supply chain expert Rosalyn Wilson of Delcan Corp. sums up this year, “Expect slow volume growth and higher rates in 2012.  The truck driver shortage will get worse and truck capacity will tighten, leaving some shippers with few alternatives to move their goods” (http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2012/1/9/CassDecemberfreightratesclimbevenavolumestalls.aspx).

Road Scholar Transport offers many shipping options including expedited shipping, van, reefer, protect from freezing, auto hauling, Hazmat, LTL, and truckload.  Visit www.roadscholar.com to learn more.

How high are you expecting rates to reach by the end of 2012?  List your comments below.

click for quote

Carriers Release Volume and Rate Predictions in TCP Business Expectation Survey

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

(The following is provided by TCP’s survey found at http://files.e2ma.net/22243/assets/docs/4q_2011_graphs_for_press_release_1.pdf)

Transport Capital Partners, LLC (TCP) recently released its fourth quarter business expectations survey.  Carriers operating equipment which included flatbeds, reefers, tanks, vans, and ‘other,’ were surveyed on a variety of topics such as freight volume and rates.

Last May, 82.3% of carriers expected to see an increase in business volumes over a year’s time.  This number, however, decreased in August to 45%.  Now, four months later, carriers are reverting back to prior expectations, increasing the number to 61%.

In correlation with the rise in the number of carriers expecting an increase in volume comes a decline in those who believe volume will decrease.  This number dropped from 9.5% last quarter to 2%.

37% predict that volume will remain the same.

tcp_graph1

Besides volume, the survey also looked at rate changes.

While the second quarter witnessed an overwhelming number of freight rate increases (with over 80% of carriers choosing to raise their rates), 50% of carriers continued to hike up their costs in the fourth quarter by at least 5% (with 1% increasing rates by 15% or more).  48% choose to keep their rates the same.  Larger carriers (those over $25 million) were more likely to increase their rates than smaller companies.

tcp_graph2

While half of the carriers surveyed have already increased their rates, 70% expect to raise them over the next year.  Fewer than 25% expect to see no change in their rates.

tcp_graph3

In conclusion, TCP’s fourth quarter business expectation survey shows that the majority of carriers expect volume and rate increases over the next year.

If you looking to get quality service and a reliable carrier for your money, then look no further than Road Scholar TransportRoad Scholar provides LTL and Truckload service with an on-time delivery guaranteed.  Visit www.roadscholar.com to learn more.

Do you expect volume and rates to increase, decrease, or remain the same within the next year?  List your comments below.

AAA Claims New York/New Jersey Toll Increase to be Illegal, Files Suit

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Port AuthorityLast Tuesday, over 2 million AAA members announced their decision to sue the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey in response to a recent hike in toll costs, calling the Port’s action illegal.

AAA New York and North Jersey groups urged the Port Authority to revert back to prior tolls, which increased on September 18th from $40 to $65 for 5-axle trucks paying in cash and $50 for E-Z pass users.

According to AAA, the “toll increases are being illegally used to subsidize the rebuilding of the World Trade Center” (http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-09-27/aaa-sues-port-authority-to-reverse-new-york-toll-increase.html).  For that reason, AAA explains that the Port Authority is in violation of the Federal Highway Act of 1987 and the Commerce Clause which state that the tolls must be “just and reasonable and invested in transportation,” an article in Business Week states.

On top of that, the Port Authority has ignored AAA’s request for a plan that explains what the money from the increased toll rates would be used for, NorthJersey.com notes.

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, however, considers AAA’s argument to be “without merit.”

Even before the increase, New York was known to have high tolls and with 90% of NYC inbound freight relying on trucks as its means of transport, the price of goods and service is expected to get costly.

For example, APL Limited, which is responsible for 37% of the New York Container Terminal’s business, has decided not to renew its lease, stating toll hikes as a reason (http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/08/new_york_container_terminal_lo.html).

Likewise, higher tolls will affect trucking companies as well, as many will not be able to compete with increasing tolls, causing some of them to go out of business or cut back on their service areas, leading to tighter capacity issues.

Shippers delivering into or out of these areas will, in return, experience higher transportation costs to account for these toll increases.

Road Scholar

Road Scholar Transport has the ability to move your LTL and Truckload freight 24/7 and at competitive rates.  Visit www.roadscholar.com to view our primary and extended service area map and to get an instant rate on your van and refrigerated freight today!

What do think of the AAA’s decision to sue the Port Authority?  Do you feel that what the Port Authority is doing is illegal or do you agree that the AAA’s argument is “without merit?”  List your comments below!

Retailers’ Expectation of Slow Consumer Spending for Holiday Season Could Backfire, Benefitting Trucking Companies

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

presentsRetailers are holding off on stocking up for the holiday season due to current consumer spending statistics which, looking at past seasons, is one move that could prove detrimental as the holiday season approaches.

After gaining a smaller than predicted increase of 0.3% last July, U.S. consumer spending reached an unexpected halt in August, according to an article in Providence Business News.

A reason for this, the article explains, comes from a lack of consumer confidence, which has increased to its “second lowest level this year” as “the number of households saying it was a bad time to spend was the highest in three years.”

In return, the two largest ports in the U.S., Los Angeles and Long Beach, have seen a 9.4% decrease in volume coming into the U.S. when compared to last year’s statistics due to retailers being cautious of weaker holiday sales (http://www.pbn.com/Retailers-cautious-on-US-consumers-risk-holiday-shipping-rush-,61298).

The problem with this is that retailers now face the chance of being undersupplied as a result of being unprepared, as was the case back in 2009 when consumer spending took a drastic turn for the positive.

If the same situation arises this year, trucking companies could greatly benefit as retailers will pay more to get their freight expedited to their stores to account for the holiday rush.  In cases like these, shippers rely on Road Scholar Transport for delivery of their products the next day or even same day!  Just go to http://www.roadscholar.com/mileage/index.php?to_zip=&=Calculate&from_zip to quickly calculate your expedited shipping time.

Not only will retailers rely on quick transportation means, but trucking companies could expect to see an increase in shipments as well which, despite capacity issues, can cause carriers to outperform.

Road Scholar

If you find yourself in need of shipping your freight in the securest, most efficient way, all you have to do is remember three words: Road Scholar TransportRoad Scholar offers 48’ and 53’ trailer availability, van and reefer service, expedited shipping, hazmat certified drivers, and reliable service.

Visit www.roadscholar.com for all your seasonal shipping needs.

Do you forecast consumer spending for the holiday season to be muted or do you foresee a surge?

want your freight there fast

NY and NJ Tolls to Double Next Month, Increasing Pressure on Trucking Industry

Monday, August 22nd, 2011

Last Friday, authorities approved a proposal that would double bridge and tunnel toll costs for New York and New Jersey ports, causing many trucking companies to become irate.

toll rate

According to the NY Post, 5-axle trucks paying with cash will be charged $65 instead of $40, with this number hitting $105 in a 5-year time frame.  As truckinginfo.com explains, these trucks will owe $3 per axle, paying “a total of $40 during peak hours, $35 during off-peak hours and $27.50 during overnight hours on weekdays.”

Those trucks employing an E-Z pass will have a small cost break, paying $2 per axle, with that number increasing by $2 every December from 2012 to 2015, equaling a grand total of $50 for a five-axle truck, the site states.

With port authorities unable to receive tax revenue, and with costs due to the recession, authorities will use the money from the tolls for aiding projects including, “George Washington Bridge suspender ropes, Lincoln Tunnel Helix rehabilitation, Bayonne Bridge roadway raising, New Goethals Bridge with both Port Authority and private investment, PATH Car, signal, and station modernizations, airport runway and taxiway modernizations, security enhancements at all facilities, port infrastructure improvements to rail and roads in the port, and completion of the World Trade Center,” which is said to be a great expense, so much as preventing PA from repairing its own roads (http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=74487).  Authorities predict $15 billion to go towards theses projects by 2015.

New York is already known to have the highest tolls in the state and with 90% of NYC inbound freight relying on trucks as its means of transport, the price of goods and service is expected to get costly.

Higher tolls result in higher rates from trucking companies, who are already charging delivery fees as a result of the tolls.  Shippers, in return, will up the prices of their products to account for higher transportation costs, affecting consumers.

Not all trucking companies will be able to compete with the higher tolls however, causing some of them to go out of business or cut back on their service areas, leading to tighter capacity issues.

Road Scholar Transport, however, has the ability to move your LTL and Truckload freight 24/7.  Visit www.roadscholar.com to view our primary and extended service area map and to get an instant rate on your van and refrigerated freight today!

What do think of the Port Authorities decision to double tolls in order to support projects such as the World Trade Center?  List your comments below!

WTC

Truck Shortfall Expected to Significantly Worsen by End of Next Year

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

shipping dockTrucking companies and shippers are witnessing greater capacity issues than in previous years, and unfortunately, it’s about to get tighter.

The trucking industry has been noticing a gradual decrease in truckload capacity since 2008 through the first half of 2010, with a net decrease of 16%, leading capacity to reach a state of “equilibrium” in the beginning of 2010, The Journal of Commerce notes.

Now, truck companies are facing greater capacity issues, which, as the site notes, are mild right now with a shortfall of around 10,000 trucks, but expected to reach 75,000 trucks by the beginning of next year and 180,000 trucks by December of 2012 (http://www.joc.com/trucking/180000-truck-shortfall-predicted-2012).

In fact, truck manufacturers are experiencing capacity issues as well; unable to receive enough parts to meet increasing truck demand, which has increased from 154,290 Class 8 tractors last year to 300,000 units, the site notes.  29,200 truck orders were placed last month alone.

Even so, the increase in production does not mean that there will be 300,000 additional trucks on the road, since many of these orders are to replace older models, and therefore, still will not meet capacity strains.

So why exactly are capacity issues continuing to grow?  The Journal of Commerce notes the recession to be a big reason, which led to a 6.9% increase in freight volume last month when compared to March of 2010.Road Scholar Transport

Have freight backed up on your dock?  Need it moved fast?  Road Scholar Transport offers same-day and 24-hour expedited service for your LTL and Truckload freight.

Whether it be Hazmat, temperature protect, van, or a high security shipment, Road Scholar Transport provides the service you need to get your freight moved quickly and safely.

Visit www.roadscholar.com to learn about all the services Road Scholar provides and to get a quote today!

What do you think about the current capacity issue facing the trucking industry?

Proposal Aims for Harsher Penalties in Pharmaceutical Thefts

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Senators from Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Florida, Minnesota, and West Virginia proposed a new bill earlier this week that would enforce stricter punishments on pharmaceutical thieves.

The bill, which was introduced last Tuesday, “would formally criminalize the acts of storing, transporting or changing labels on stolen medical products” (http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2011/03/10/senate_bill_aims_to_combat_pharmaceutical_theft/).

tracking

The proposal would also help police track down thieves by providing them with additional tools such as wiretaps, under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law, an article on boston.com notes.  You can compare this to a company like Road Scholar Transport who has the ability to trace and track all of our tractor trailers via satellite.  It wouldn’t take long for Road Scholar to pinpoint exactly where our truck and your cargo are at any moment.

Don’t think it is necessary to pay more for a better quality carrier?  You may rethink your answer.  According to the site, $184 million worth the pharmaceuticals were stolen last year in the United States, with $75 million of the amount being stolen at one warehouse in Connecticut that was storing Eli Lilly drugs.

Where exactly did these drugs end up?  You may have guessed that they would be dealed in alleys and on streets, in which you would be correct, but did you know that most of the time pharmaceuticals are resold to medical locations such as hospitals and pharmacies?

So you save a few dollars by shipping with a carrier that has a poor safety rating, high damage and loss rate, and little, if any, security features.  You may see a small rate, but is that the whole price you are paying by shipping with a bottomfeeder carrier?

Let’s look at a case that happened two years ago in North Carolina when a carrier was transporting almost $11 million dollars worth the insulin.  The insulin, which needs to be refrigerated, was being transported via reefer.  The reefer was stolen and the thieves were not caught, whereas they would have immediately been captured using Road Scholar’s “SkyBitz.”

The insulin, which was not properly refrigerated, was resold to medical stores, and diabetics who purchased this medication became really sick and rushed to the hospital.

Now imagine if this was your product.  Not only did you lose thousands/millions of dollars when your shipment was stolen but now face health issues, recalls, and brand equity, all because you did not choose a safe, quality driven carrier.

ReeferTrak

Road Scholar not only offers vans, but temperature protect services.  With ReeferTrak, you will be given access to data including every time the trailer door was opened/closed to guarantee that no one was tampering with your freight during transport, as well as the temperature inside the trailer at any given time to ensure that your pharmaceuticals are transported under the right conditions so you don’t have to worry about recalls and health issues due to improper transport.

On a scale of 1 to 5, how much would you value being able to view the exact location and temperature of your shipment at any place and time?

Arizona Proposal May Have Customers who are Picking up Prescriptions Treated Like Criminals

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

You may not be a suspect in a police station, but you might feel like one if an Arizona proposal is passed.pills

The proposal would require any person picking up certain prescription drugs known to be abused, such as painkillers, in one Arizona city to be fingerprinted and videotaped before purchase.  The videotape would then be held for 60 days.

Although an attempt to stop increasing prescription fraud, civil rights activists are fighting the proposal, saying that it is an intrusion on an individual’s right to privacy and would turn pharmacies into police barracks.  Pharmacists are against playing the role as a law enforcement official.

According to rawstory.com, others are arguing that “the law would be ineffective because those seeking painkillers illegitimately would go to pharmacies in other cities.”

Regardless of where you are located, Road Scholar can move all of your prescription needs with our van and temperature protect trailers.  Better yet, we’ll be making a difference at the same time by transporting with one of our awareness trailers.  Visit www.roadscholarawareness.com to learn more.

Trucking Company Owners Serve Jail Time for Illegal Transporting

Friday, January 7th, 2011

Angel Bravo and his step-brother Gaspar Campos, owners of Transportes Latinos, were convicted yesterday on smuggling charges.

The two men used their Texas trucking company to transport illegal aliens to New York several times a month back in 2008.

According to theusdaily.com, the owners paid their drivers $500 for each transport to New York, sometimes one driver doing four trips a month with nearly 13 passengers each time, where they then arranged for NY and NJ cab drivers to bring the illegal aliens to their families, paying $100 for the trip.

Then men paid $250 to smugglers for each immigrant delivered to them.

Bravo now has to serve 40 months in prison and Campos 47 months, along with six van and cab drivers convicted as well (http://theusdaily.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=1306629&type=home).

The only thing you’ll see Road Scholar transporting is your cargo.  Whether it is dry, refrigerated, heated, or frozen, Road Scholar has the equipment to deliver your freight safely and on time.

Visit www.roadscholar.com for more information and to get a quote today!