Fleets stand firm and deliver as coronavirus crisis bites

Faced with what was undoubtedly proving its biggest test in modern times, the road transport industry was responding with composure, agility and determination to the Covid-19 crisis as lockdown measures began to bite in early April.

The respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, which last month was labelled a pandemic by world health experts, was posing unprecedented challenges for the transport sector and wider supply chain, as consumer stockpiling of staple foods and household goods caused a spike in demand for deliveries.

The heightened demand for the distribution of essential goods comes in the context of rising staff shortages across the entire UK workforce as self-isolation and social distancing guidelines take effect, exacerbating specific existing shortfalls within the transport sector.

But drivers and warehouse workers have risen to the challenge, and companies that have seen their work in sectors such as exhibitions evaporate overnight have offered their services to keep essential supplies on the move.

The challenge being met cannot be underestimated. Panic buying saw supermarket stocks disappear in hours, while the perilously low levels of stock of personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection control equipment at hospitals and other locations were also exposed.

A senior source at DHL reported that volumes on its supermarket contracts increased by 300 per cent almost overnight, and one supermarket manager told Transport Operator that his store had seen
volumes of “Christmas Eve proportions go out of the door every day for 10 days on the bounce.”

In anticipation of severe and sustained damage to the economy, the Treasury has announced increasingly significant aid packages for struggling businesses, including tax changes, while the Department for Transport has relaxed rules around drivers’ hours and Driver CPC.

Terry Goodwin, managing director of event logistics provider Conference Haul International in Surrey, spoke for many companies in his sector when he said: “As a transport company we are classified as key workers and are currently transporting essential goods to supermarkets to restock empty shelves.

“We have taken steps to ensure that our workforce avoid contact and keep their distance from colleagues. Our office staff are working remotely and job sheets are emailed to our drivers. We have showers for the drivers when they return from a shift and trucks are cleaned daily.”

Ian Owen, operations director at Owens Group in south-west Wales, said: “In all my 30 years of being involved in the transport,distribution and logistics industry I have never seen times like we are in right now.

“These are without any shadow of doubt uncharted waters… None of us have been able to plan or fully prepare for what we are dealing with. But what I do know is the respect I have for all the ladies and gentlemen who support every part of our business and the industry is off the scale.

“We will stick together, united, working as one; and together we will beat this horrible virus gripping the country and world we all love. Let’s all respect, value and appreciate each other.”

The UK’s eight national pallet networks joined forces to offer the combined capacity of 750 depots, 23,500 vehicles and 30,000 employees, covering every UK postcode to move essential supplies for the emergency services.

While major industry trade shows were postponed or cancelledd, and truck manufacturers closed down factories in response to health risk and supply chain problems, across the UK dealers were keeping parts outlets and workshops open to help ensure essential transport operations could continue.

Nigel Champion, general manager of Scania’s Bridgwater dealerpoint, was one of many emphasising the total commitment of his business to serving the industry through the crisis, with two supervisors working 13- hour shifts to cover two people who were self-isolating.

Meanwhile, it was business as usual for cleaning provider Lymm Truckwash, whose managing director Laura Cardwell said: “Our main priority is to keep our employees and customers safe.” This was made easier by ANPR technology and a driver height kiosk at the company’s new site, she explained, meaning drivers did not need to leave their cabs or interact with employees.

In the passenger sector, which has been particularly hard-hit by restrictions on travel, operators were offering free fares to NHS employees. Among them was Edwards Coaches of South Wales, giving NHS staff free tickets on its route between the Pontypridd area and Cardiff, including the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.

“As a nation we are experiencing a great deal of uncertainty and angst at the moment, and at Edwards we always want to do whatever we can to help,” said director Jason Edwards.

“We can do that by supporting our local community, who are extremely important to us, and ensuring that our fantastic NHS has one less thing to worry about during this crisis.”

Given the unprecedented challenges, a range of resources are being made available to assist fleet operators during the outbreak. FTA has launched a free coronavirus web portal offering key information and advice, as well as details of its Coronavirus Logistics Impact Survey.

The RHA is also providing a coronavirus updates service, which includes details of revisions to legislation and guidance, as well as advice on keeping drivers safe.

The traffic commissioners (TCs) have published a range of Covid-19 advice and information on their website.

It includes details of steps the TCs are taking to help reduce the burden on operators, and guidance on topics such as the temporary operation of more vehicles, financial standing issues, loss of access to operating centres, vehicle maintenance, transport managers working from home, urgent bus service registrations, and more.

Finally, a wealth of guidance for individuals and businesses, including health advice, is available from central government at: gov.uk/coronavirus