Australian businesses are embracing technology to keep their freight moving during the Coronavirus crisis with leading freight marketplace TruckIt.net reporting a lift in the use of ‘contactless delivery’.
While multiple states and territories have announced the closure of their borders, the freight and logistics industry has been deemed an essential service and are therefore exempt from border closures.
“These are tough times for everybody,” TruckIt founder Robbie Russell said. “But it is essential we keep goods moving around the country to keep our shops stocked and our businesses moving.”
“Spreading those goods around the country, without spreading COVID-19 is critical, which means our providers and their customers need to keep their distance.”
Contactless delivery allows TruckIt transport providers (truckies) to pick up and drop off a load without ever coming into contact with people. Adherence to contactless delivery means any touching between customers and drivers is strictly limited.
“A few simple steps and open communication means freight can be picked up and delivered without risking anyone’s health,” Mr Russell said.
“Both customers and providers on the TruckIt platform are encouraged to utilise contactless delivery wherever practically possible.”
TruckIt.net is at the forefront of Australia’s rapidly-growing on-demand freight industry that is becoming an increasingly important part of the overall $100 billion a year freight industry.
The digital marketplace matches people wishing to freight items (cars, furniture, pallets etc) with transport operators that include sole operators with one vehicle up to large multi-vehicle businesses.
Customers simply list their item on TruckIt.net for free and receive competitive quotes from interested vehicle operators. The booking, transaction and delivery process is managed directly between the freight owner and the operator.
Since it was first established 2012, TruckIt has taken nearly 500,000 listings with deliveries covering more than 50,000,000 kilometres. At any one time there is about $1.5 million worth of freight projects posted on the site and available for truckers to quote on.
The freight industry is one of the fastest growing in Australia with the volume of freight carried expected to grow by over 35 per cent between 2018 and 2040, an increase of 270 billion tonnes (bringing the total volume to just over 1,000 billion tonne kilometres), according to Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE).
A new feature was recently launched on Truckit.net that allows Customers to Offer a price to Providers to instantly accept. If Providers don't like the Customer's Price they can still submit their own quote(s). As with normal Listings, only one Provider can accept the Customer's Offer and book the Job. Why did we create Offer Now?Offer Now was created to speed up the time between Listing creation and freight delivery, by reducing the time Customers and Providers spend negotiating. For some Customers speed is their main concern, and if they know what price they are prepared to spend on transporting […]
TRANSCRIPT OF VIDEO Hey Providers. It's Rob here, I wanted to touch base before everyone goes on their Christmas and New Year break. I know it's a really busy time of the year, but I thought I'd do a quick video to tell you about a few things, that's happening around the site. And also thank you for all your hard work in 2023! First thing, I want to let you know a little bit about Offer Now. You may see some Listings coming through with Offer Now. Now, that's where the Customer gets to name their price and you […]
Ten years ago we created Truckit with the dual purpose of assisting individuals across Australia in relocating their goods and helping transport Providers secure more bookings, fostering growth within the entire transport industry. Ten years on and with a 4.9 star Google rating, Truckit is continuing to push the boundaries of transparency and innovation in the industry, allowing small and large carriers alike more secure payment and reconciliation options, live tracking, reduced administrative burden and soon, instant pricing and matching (reducing the need to quote). It is an exciting time to be in the transport industry, and we continually want […]
