Deadline for Cargofax
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ROAD HAULAGE Association members have been given until the end of next month to support Cargofax, a Prestel-based traffic exchange and information service.
The system was unveiled at the RHA's conference in Torquay last weekend, and will be displayed throughout October and November at various locations around, the country. Provided that at least 250 subscribers join the system, it will start running early next year, if they do not, it will be abandoned.
This is the second stage of an experiment first conducted last year, when the British Road Services Datafreight system was used for VATIS (the Vehicle and Traffic Information Service). That system proved too daunting for many operators.
The RHA proposes to train members to operate the very much simpler Cargofax system, which comprises a visual display unit and a keyboard on each subscriber's desk. It will cost £210 a year to operate, with additional charges for computer and phone time.
it provides a traffic exchange service, with members having the ability to seek and obtain return loads.
The general information service will be tailored to RHA needs, giving association news, and general haulage information.
The RHA had an opportunity to use the upgraded BRS Prestel Datafreight Service (CM October 2), which provides a similar exchange of information, but it felt that this would conflict with current RHA policy. Datafreight is open to all operators, including small "cowboy" operators and clearing houses which the RHA has been discouraging its customers from using, and it wants to restrict the service to its own members.
It is possible, however, that some information services will be shared between RHA and BRS.
One area of co-operation which already exists between the RHA and the National Freight Consortium is a marketing arrangement for mini computers with Freight Computer Servies.