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Ryder Truckstops for
Page 34
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Britain? by CM reporter
• Ryder, the American-based truck rental and leasing giant, is talking with the DoE, oil companies and hotel groups about the possibility of participating in the network of 50 strategic lorry parks proposed for the UK. It has its eye on four or five sites in particular, for possible development on the lines of its US Truckstops.
The company also plans to start commercial vehicle driver training establishments in Britain, probably before the end of the 'year, and is considering setting up a network of truck service centres across Europe.
At a reception in London on Monday, Ryder Systems president, Mr Van Allen, said Ryder was keen to establish a network of Continental operations, but not to any fixed pattern. Development of truck rental has been inhibited in Germany, Holland and Belgium by national legislation, though in Britain the company has 1100 vehicles and is looking for companies to buy, to further its expansion.
The company accepts that it might have to operate parks unprofitably until a "social change" drove parked vehicles off the street — as is already happening — but its US experience is that better facilities are needed to attract drivers who will increasingly be looking for higher standards.
Ryder's 17 .US Truckstops offer free parking but good accommodation, meals, vehicle fuelling and maintenance. Mr Allen said this week that some members of the British Association of Lorry Park Operators (who include oil companies, NCP, Trust House Forte, NFC, and Vanguard Interstop) were going overboard on security and were planning lorry parks like concentration camps. In the USA, where security was just as much a problem, a wire fence park with an alert gatekeeper had proved sufficient.
If Ryder could go ahead with its own ideas on security in the UK it could offer an evening meal, excellent accommodation and breakfast for about £5. The DoE has estimated that in five years' time drivers win be spending £7 to £8 a night on parking, bed and board. • Ryder is convinced that a voucher system will be essential, to prevent drivers pocketing subsistence cash and avoiding the approved parks.
As to the Continental servicing work Ryder believes that as hauliers operate increasingly far from home bases they will need workshop expertise and spares which are unlikely to be available from dealers with franchises for "local" makes of vehicles.