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SS Transport
Page 58
Page 59
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flys high by Johnny Johnson
An enterprising young lady who is qualified in horse handling, holds a pilot's licence as well as a Class 1 hgv driving licence and runs her own horse transport company finds time to drive for others as well
PERHAPS the transport of horses is not an unusual road haulage activity and the express delivery of small parcels might not be considered a matter for raised eyebrows. But a haulage company which combines both activities and throws in delivery by air when this is convenient becomes something of a rarity. When the holder of the operator's licence is a businesslike young lady like Susan Saggers, then its activities become even more remarkable.
SS Transport, based at Langton Green, near Tunbridge Wells, has been licensed to carry for hire and reward for only one year but its owner has plans to expand, even into Europe, specializing in the transport of horses though that is not the only kind of transport of which she has experience.
The small parcels activity is a service of express delivery for urgent freight— usually engine and other parts — using a minivan. As a qualified pilot, Susan will use her own aircraft to expedite delivery when this is the quickest way to effect delivery.
This service of delivery by air is purely by Susan's own choice, however, as she does not hold a commercial pilot's licence. This she is currently studying for. Thus the fortunate consignee of urgently needed parcels pays the same rate as for delivery by road in the minivan at present.
The main activity, however, remains horse transport, using a Bedford TK truck plated at just over 5 tons.
Expert attention
This vehicle will accommodate up to three horses or four ponies and the service includes saddling and bridling ready for the owner to ride. In this connection Susan holds a Pony Club "A" certificate so the animals get expert attention.
That is not all of Miss Sagger's involvement in transport for as a Class 1 hgv licensed driver she has driven a Bedford articulated timber vehicle with six-speed splitter gearbox and is currently driving a 10-ton flat vehicle for a grain company.
The timber job involved delivering in the Welsh mountains to Pantyffynnon near Ammanford, a not inconsiderable feat in such difficult terrain.
The grain vehicle is driven round the Kentish farms to collect the grain which is then transported to the docks at Silvert own. The return load is bags of animal feed which Susan says she can rope and sheet unassisted though she insists that while she is doing so it invariably rains.
To round off her activities she is a member of the fire team at Biggin Hill airfield and drives the crash wagon and the refuelling bowser.
Together with giving a helping hand on occasions in the hangar, the assistance at the airfield which she gives has an advantage for her transport company for air mechanics there maintain her vehicles in exchange. Only for the annual M oT test does she have to rely on a commercial garage in Hastings.
The future objectives of SS Transport are clearly defined. These are to build up the transport of horses both within the United Kingdom — preferably by recommendation from existing customers — and abroad to the Middle East and Europe. The owner is no stranger to docks work both through grain deliveries to the docks atSilvertown and in the course of delivery to the docks of horses for export.
Another objective is to become more involved in grain transport, which Miss Saggers says she finds extremely interesting. I have a feeling, however, that when she obtains her commercial pilot's licence then the aircraft delivery part of the company's activities will be expanded. Indeed, she is already contracted to ferry an aircraft for delivery in Australia in the autumn.
In case anybody thinks that this forthright young lady has been fortunate to be born with a silver spoon let me hasten to correct this impression. She insists that whatever she has accomplished and whatever transport fleet she has acquired it has all been done with bank loans — now discharged — and hard work.