Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019:
Ryder expands COOP truck-sharing program to Orlando
Ryder announced Tuesday that its peer-to-peer truck-sharing platform, COOP, is now available in the Orlando, Florida, area. The platform allows truck owners to generate extra revenue by renting idle or unused equipment to businesses. Launched in 2018, the platform is currently available in all of Georgia and in parts of Florida.
Truck owners can list their vehicles on the digital platform, set vehicle availability for idle periods and, upon vehicle return, receive guaranteed payments from Ryder. All COOP users are vetted to ensure they comply with safety and reliability standards. Each transaction is covered by physical damage insurance, a $1 million liability policy and includes 24/7 roadside assistance.
Michelin Advantage program members receive, among other benefits, unique access to the company’s service network, including more than 5,000 authorized truck dealer locations, and Michelin’s ONCall 2.0 Emergency Road Service program, with no dispatch fee. Various business tools are also avaialble.Michelin owner-op program gets an update
Michelin North America made application and billing enhancements to its Michelin Advantage program, introduced in 2007 to support the needs of owner-operators and small fleets. The Advantage program provides competitive, consistent nationwide pricing on new Michelin heavy-truck dual and X One wide-single tires for fleets operating fewer than 100 power units, as well as fleets using Michelin retreads, various services, and BFGoorich heavy- and light-truck tires at home and on the road.
Enhancements include a simplified online application process — available in both the U.S. and Canada — for desktop and mobile users and same-day use-of-program benefits. The billing process also has been improved, allowing dealers to take control of the process, including registering the credit card for the fleet.
Uber Freight moves to new headquarters in Chicago
Three years after its initial regional launch in Texas, Uber Freight has opened a new office in Chicago, where the freight-matching brokerage will be headquartered. The company says it plans to hire 2,000 employees in the Chicago area over the next three years, with most of them dedicated to Uber Freight. Accounting for real estate investments, staff and other expenses, Uber says it will spend more than $200 million annually in the Chicago area. The office is located in the Old Main Post Office in the historic Chicago river area, where the company has signed a 10-year lease.
