A FACELIFTED FLEET In February, City Link revealed plans for
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a 231m network revamp, which included switching from hard-sided trailers and investing in 280 curtainsided double-deckers and 12,000 pallet cages.
The firm expects to take delivery of 80 of the trailers by September, with the remainder integrated by January 2010. The break is to ensure the peak festive season will not be disrupted.
Godman says the new trailers can increase City Link's volumes by 21% and allow the group to carry out the same amount of work with 200 vehicles instead of having to use 300, which would be the number required.
The double-deck trailers also improve the speed of operations and less physical labour is required.
Godman says the company's parent, Rentokil Initial, is keen to promote a green image, so all new trucks will be to a Euro-5 standard. Technological developments are definitely part of the group's plans, but there is no urgency to jump on the hybrid vehicle bandwagon.
"There is the question of their availability on a mass scale, and considering the current economic climate, 1 believe more work needs to be done and more proof provided to demonstrate that any cost benefits would outweigh the investment."