Transforce, the logistics and driver staffing firm, has put together an extensive resource list for drivers regarding COVID-19. The company has made it available to carriers to download from the TransForce Group website and to drivers on TransForce, Inc.
The guide, filtered by category or state, includes information about lodging, medical facilities, restaurants, discounts and deliveries.
“The health and safety of drivers has always been our number one priority,” said Kimberly Castagnetta, executive vice president, marketing and division president, compliance and safety for TransForce Group, but the COVID-19 pandemic has been “unchartered territory for everyone” – drivers and motor carriers.
Seeking to ease some of the stress on the transportation community, her team decided on a one-stop website locating resources and discounts for drivers. TransForce hopes carriers will share the guide with their drivers, and the company is asking for feedback and other listings “to make it as comprehensive and possible,” according to Castagnetta.
Did you know?
Demand for repurposed passenger jets has been so high that Lufthansa Airlines will remove seats from four aircraft to make room for more cargo. An additional 60 cargo flights with passenger aircraft are planned for next week. In just three weeks, United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) has already operated 270 cargo-only flights carrying more than 9.2 million pounds of goods on repurposed Boeing 777 and 787 jets. (FreightWaves)
Quotable
“The effect of a bailout would be to maintain capacity that is not needed. This is an incredibly competitive industry with low margins, and rates are potentially going to get really bad.”
– Steve Viscelli, a sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania, on why trucking industry was left out of the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package. (Business Insider)
In other news
Amazon shuts down distribution centers in France after worker safety ruling
Amazon will cease operations at its six distribution centers in France, after the Court of Nanterre ruled on April 14 the company must cease delivery of non-essential goods. (Supplychaindive)
Starbucks prepares for slow U.S. reentry
The company is taking a store-by-store approach to resuming business activities, which will remain limited to services like drive-thru, delivery and takeout via mobile orders and contactless pickup. (SeattleTimes)
Boeing will resume work in phases next week, including a restart of 737 MAX
Boeing announced on April 16 that it will resume all commercial airplane production in a “phased approach” at facilities around the Puget Sound region next week. (MyNorthwest)
Fuel cell experts argue for cleaner commercial trucks
The trucking industry needs to continue adopting electric technologies such as fuel cells in order to combat pollution, experts said during a webinar hosted by the California Hydrogen Business Council. (TransportTopics)
Final thoughts,
In another sign that the coronavirus pandemic is giving a boost to touchless delivery companies, Workhorse Group Inc. (NASDAQ: WKHS) is seeking additional patent protection for its truck-mounted HorseFly delivery drone. “In the last several months we have seen significant and growing interest in our vehicle-launched HorseFly delivery drone, making the need to expand the HorseFly patent portfolio even more critical,” Workhorse CEO Duane Hughes said in a statement.
Hammer down, everyone!
