India Truckers

A quick history of Indian truckers and the Indian trucking industry.  India is a vast country with a range of geographical variations. Agricultural lands are usually located in the interior of the country far from any central cities. Most manufacturing units and industries are also located in the interiors to make use of tax exemptions, cheap land value and manufacturing costs. Both of these industries are completely dependent on good trucks and roads or a fast railway system that can ferry fresh produce, crops and manufactured goods to the cities for sale. Cities that are located close the sea can easily access fresh seafood and imported goods but all of these goods are also dependent on trucks that will haul these goods to interior cities where these goods are unavailable and have to be trucked in.

The importance of the trucking industry in India The trucking or road delivery system in India is an integral part and parcel of transport. The only other method of transportation that is comparably faster and cheaper is rail transport. But there are problems there too. Even though, rail transport is cheaper, improvements have not been made in that transport option and most manufacturing and consumer industries rely on trucking to make sure that goods reach their destination. In the last few years, India has also improved its economy, streamlined its production and improved local and national roadways to facilitate the quicker transport of goods.

Accordingly in the last decade, road freight exploded by a growth rate of 11.9% as compared to 1.4% on Rail. Roads carry more than 70% of the freight in India and it has a share of about 4.46 in the Indian GDP. At last count, India has more than one crore to three crore truckers all over the country and they frequently transport goods over into neighboring countries as well. The number of trucks that were purchased to ferry goods also increased by as much as 20% in the last decade with 36 lakh new trucks being registered in the last two decades. Impact on truckers Even though the industry is so vast, it is riddled with problems. The sheer fragmented nature of the industry means that more than Rs 2, 00,000 crores will be required to streamline the trucking sector and provide equal salaries and opportunities to truckers.

A few of the common problems seen in the trucking industry include the following- • Most trucks are owned by private operators and truckers are liable to the whims and fancies of the owners regarding salaries and transport procedures. According to the latest statistics, 89% of the truck driving industry was run by operators who owned five vehicles or less while 6% of the business and industry was operated by companies that owned 20 trucks or more. As most of the business is controlled by independent operators, this has given rise to agents who vie and bid for a transport contract by putting the lowest price possible. This would have been economically  viable but in the recent shaky economy and subsequent hikes in petrol prices; most private truckers have been facing severe losses.

• On an average, each trucker covers about 230-340 km per day which they may push to increase the distance and trips they take. This distance is also much lower than any distance covered by a trucker in a developed country due to poor roads, bad weather and no logistical support along the route. The National Highway system of India forms only 2-5% of the entire road network but is handles over 45% of the entire freight transport result in a huge backlog of trucks as they move around on the congested network. Due to the backlog, most truckers spend weeks on the road transporting goods and then returning with a full load back to their starting point. On an average, more than 37% of all trucks spend 5-8 days on a trip while 26% took about 8 days to return back to their starting point.

Average speeds vary to about 20 mph which far lower than the 60 mph average seen in developed countries with a good road connection. The good news though is that road conditions may improve with US $13billion funding in 1998 which was used to improve highways in Mumbai, to create North-South and East-West corridors and from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Silchar to Porbander. • The problem of congestion is also seen in the twelve major ports of India which handle most of the shipping that comes into India. In the year 2007-2008, the traffic at all the major Indian ports was estimated to be about 333 million tones. A part of the shipping is also relegated to the 184 minor ports which again do not have the best roadways and facilities to speed up unloading of containers. Pre-birthing delays and larger ship turnaround times in the ports are common leading to a jam with truckers who wait for the containers to unload. The large capacity of shipping jammed into twelve cities means that truckers are also perpetually delayed. •

A serious shortage of truck drivers. In India, the trucking industry and truckers are considered to be a very low-paid job with long hours and a lot of hard work. According to industry experts, in recent years, the trucking industry has improved with 5.6 million vehicles on the road but with a severe shortage of about 700,000 to about 800,000 drivers. The problem was compounded by the Ministry Of Road Transport And Highways in 2007. New rules were enforced which required all truckers to be at least Grade 10 educated for carrying dangerous chemicals like petrol and gas. For other consumer goods, drivers had to complete their education till Grade 7. This problem is steadily improving with private truck manufacturing companies taking the initiative to teach and train new drivers. As a result, large companies like Ashok Leyland and Tata Motors (which are currently the market leaders for truck manufacturing in India) have set up private driving education firms for interested candidates to train them and provide candidates with jobs.

TATA Truck India Truckers

Most popular brands of trucks in India The market leader for manufacturing and sales of trucks is currently TATA motors with Ashok Leyland chasing close on it heels. In the last two years, the huge potential in the Indian market has also lured in foreign truck makers like Daimler, MAN, Navistar and Volvo who are promising lighter and much more petrol and diesel- efficient trucks.

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Russian Truckers

 
The Russian trucking industry is similar to that in the US. Russian cargo truck drivers spend a majority of their time on the road, going from port-to-port collecting cargo and driving the same to their destinations. Russia has one of the most extensive transport systems in the worlds, with one of the longest stretches of national roads used by most transport companies as their main routes. These roads stretch out from Kaliningrad crossing through Moscow and St. Petersburg, to the Kamchatka Peninsula. The transportation services are a major lifeline of the Russian economy, since many foreign transport operators use Russia as a transit territory for transporting goods from Europe to Asia.

Types of Trucks Used in Russian Trucking Most Russian fleets are composed of Kamaz trucks which is perhaps one of the most popular trucking vehicles among Russian companies and drivers. Kamaz trucks are made by the Kamsky factory. Most of these trucks were made in the 70s and are favorites of the Russian military.

Russia is home to a number of trucking companies that own at the average 100 fleets of cargo trucks that ply the routes at different times of the year. A smaller percentage, about 25% of Russian trucking companies, are smaller, owning about 20 trucks at an average. Another 30% of trucks are owned and operated by the drivers who work directly with cargo owners and shipping companies. Other brands of cargo trucks found plying the Russian highways include Renault, Mercedes, and Volvo.   Job Description of a Russian Cargo Trucker Truck drivers in Russia are required to collect and transport various kinds of goods, such as heavy equipment and machinery as well as smaller items and light goods. The trucking company will offer various assignments to drivers, from intercity to interstate assignments that could stretch from one coast to another. The trucker is required to ensure that cargo remains in the same condition as it was when it came to his possession.

Ports The Russian Federation is home to 41 ports.  These include the Port of Alexandrovsk Sakhalin Island, Port of St.Petersburg,  Port of Port of Vladivostok, Port of Kaliningrad, and Port of Archangelsk Siberia. Most of these ports own and operate their container berths that work with major shipping and container companies, which also work with trucking companies that receive cargo for land transport when the cargo ships dock.   Driver Pay Trucker pay depends on the employer. Most companies pay the driver day rates or by the mile. Drivers who drive their own trucks often are paid directly by the company who hired the transport service. They post their rates, routes they usually take, and transport costs on forums and message boards that cater for both truckers and cargo owners and shippers. Shippers looking for truckers who match their requirements typically hire a trucker this way.

Living Conditions of a Russian Trucker Although Russia has an extensive road and highway system, most of the roads are bad and road safety is poor. Accidental deaths are higher in the country compared to other G8 countries. Russian truck drivers are especially wary of crossing the Lena Highway, more commonly known as the Highway from Hell, in the summertime since this is the time that the highway turns into a river of mud. The highway runs parallel to the Lena River, which overflows right into the highway during the summer, making this part of the federal highway virtually impassable.

A Russian trucker also has to contend with lawlessness on the roads. Security is a big issue, with looting rampant especially during the colder months when people break open trucks to get to food and clothing to keep them warm. Russian truck drivers often take measures to protect themselves especially when doing cross-country trips.

Day-to-day living is comfortable. Most of these cargo trucks have comfortable sleeping spaces, although food may be hard to find in some of the least inhabited places in the country. A trucker can get the most rest at truck stops, where food and the company of other truck drivers can be found.   How to Become a Trucker in Russia Becoming a Russian trucker often requires experience. Many drivers start working as short distance truck drivers for small loading companies before going up the ranks to long distance driving. Requirements include passing a physical exam as well as possessing a valid driver’s license. The employer may specify other skills. It depends on the company on whether they require a CDL license or not. A commercial driver’s license is often required for those who drive trucks that can carry 26,000 pounds and above. This is also required for truckers required to carry trucks that contain hazardous materials, regardless of the truck size.

Problems Facing the Russian Trucking Industry  The most common problems facing the trucking industry are bad roads, trucks that do not meet Euro requirements, non-payment of cargo and transport fees, as well as the rising price of fuel and stricter environmental restrictions. Russia is notorious for its bad roads. This causes additional delays in transportation, which means more consumption of fuel and a longer time for the goods to arrive at the destination. Clogged roads due to roadside accidents are not uncommon, with hundreds of cargo trucks forming amazingly long queues along the highway when this happens.

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It is not uncommon for cargo owners and freight companies to delay payments or avoid payment altogether. This is a very common problem in Russia and in some cases court action may not be enough to recover lost payment. However, most trucking companies are now finding ways to solve this problem by creating ratings for customers.  Trucking companies now share information on cargo owners and shipping companies online. Rating systems determine which shipping companies pay on time, and which companies and cargo owner should be avoided. Stealing and looting are also rampant, especially when trucks are stranded due to floods or traffic accidents. A trucker often uses personal security measures to protect himself and the cargo from looters.

Most of the trucks owned by Russian trucking companies do not meet strict requirements for Euro transportation standards, which mean that transport into Europe is limited, so most Russian truckers have to be satisfied with transporting goods to Asia. Rising fuel prices are also a problem, with Russian fuel increasing drastically in the course of 5 years. Diesel cost 23.01 rubles per liter in 2007, which has grown to 32 rubles per litter in 2012. Stricter environmental restrictions on fuel usage, especially the requirement of using fuel with low sulfur content, are also affecting trucking operations, since this is a type of fuel that is not produced in Russia.

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This video was taken at a Mexican truck stop in sonyota Mexico. sonyota is a border town along the Arizona border.  Gonzotrucker went down there for the weekend to play.  You can see more videos on my youtube channel.

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Truck drivers Christmas

Christmas is a time for family, and food. But for most truck driver’s Christmas can be a lonely time. During the holiday most truckers work. If we are not working we are thinking about work. The day’s before Christmas truck driver’s are in a rush trying to make it home. While most passenger cars can drive as long as it takes to get to grandma’s house, truck driver’s only have a limited amount of driving time to get there. Yes some of us push it and falsify our log books 1 extra hour just to make it home for the holiday’s. So remember this when you’re traveling down the road, and you cut off a big rig just to get a little extra time!! Also most of us can’t get home for one reason or another. Have you ever spent Christmas alone in a truck at a truck stop?  Well most of truckers have done this. Here is one story from my friend who spent Christmas on the road enjoy.

My worst Christmas

By Robert Lehman at 03:44 PM, 22-Dec-11

A friend of mine tweeted about truckers missing Christmas. So I thought I’d wright about my least favorite Christmas.
There I was, five days before Christmas in Phoenix AZ. About five hundred miles away from what was home at the time. Santa Maria CA. The company I was working for had me run down to Nogales AZ. For a load of medical supplies going to Sandy UT.
I’m like, “kiss my ass, you know I’m not getting home from the Salt Lake area. But they assured me I’d be home for Christmas
So after I delivered to Sandy I’m told they didn’t have anything to get me home Really now. Who guessed that one.
Then they say “go to Green River WY. And pick up a load to Irvine CA. Delivering on December 26th at 6 am So to make a long story short. I spent Christmas at a Pilot truck stop in Hesperia CA. 250 miles from the house, just totally pissed.
Needless to say, I don’t work there anymore. But the problem is that most trucking companies are exactly the same. They’ll say “without the customer you wouldn’t have a job” Sure that’s true. But without a driver neither would you, you jackass.

“You said it Brother” GT

I remember one holiday season i was in Boston just 4 days from Christmas. I was picking up a load at a drop yard headed for home (Indiana) when i met another trucker who was spending his Christmas right there!! His company could not get him a load home or a load to keep him working on Christmas. So he had to wait until the day after Christmas to get a load. There are no Truck Stops in Boston so he had no where to go!! He talked with security, and they agreed in the spirit of Christmas (sarcasm)  to lock him in the yard alone for 2 days until after Christmas. Another time i was stuck in Laredo, Texas a 7 days before Christmas when my company got me a plane ticket home then back to my truck after Christmas. Most of the big companies will do this for their drivers now. My very first year as an over the road truck driver i worked for a small company hauling flatbeds. Being a small company every time i fueled i had to call the dispatcher for a com check number to pay for the fuel. The dispatcher was also the owner’s wife. Well just 3 days before Christmas i was trying to get home when i ran out of fuel in Green Bay, Wi. I tried to get her on the phone with no luck. They went to Florida for Christmas, and figured i had enough fuel to make it home to Indiana. It was also my fault as a rookie Trucker to not make sure i had enough fuel. But here i was no fuel no money to get fuel, and scared because if my truck ran out i would not be able to idle, and keep warm. I would freeze to death. I was just a kid at 21 years old, and lost on what to do. So i begged, and asked everybody at the Truck Stop but nobody could help me. So what i did im ashamed of but it had to be done. I left him a note to pay him back but he never called me. I got just enough fuel to make it home to Indiana Then i quit, and went to work for M.S. Carrier’s Remeber them? I worked for them 5 years until Swift killed us. Anyways those are some of my stories about Christmas as a trucker. Now im fortunate enough to have a local truck driving job where im home every holiday. Im sure many of you have similar stories so share them with us in the comment section of this post. Take care my friends stay safe, and go home to your family this Christmas. Gonzotrucker

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Well i started driving commercial vehicle in 1994  i have driven just about every sort of commercial equipment. From taxi to bus to truck and many others over the years i have done nights days morning afternoons Off road on road local regional and long haul

I will say nothing really shocks me about driving anymore i drive and expect things to happen there is very few days I dont see a accident or the remains of one

driving across a few mountian ranges every day shows peoples lack of care

Now more about me  after many years of doing this job i love i am taking the next step. Becoming a owner operator

I have been driving at a lower speed for sometime and i find the only difference between 95 & 105 is about 20 Minutes for a trip from vancouver bc to calgary ab and about 25-30 liters. Now as a company driver i dont pay the fuel but as a owner i will for this reason when i take possesion of my truck i will run at 93 km for 1 month to see if i can save that little extra each week i will total km traveled and fuel used verses time driving

············ pictures to come of different trucks over years  https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=736356132

Truck Driver

Update  Post Number  2.

Well since my last post I have had some home time then back to work in 20 days i drove

15,000 kms had a breakdown and 2 resets.  My new truck is in but paperwork is holding everything up

My truck has a big moose bumper on it.

I still drive Company Truck while waiting for my truck

Hope to have it within next 4 days

Take care and safe driving.    Byron  Talbot

well as of the 15 may 2012

I became an owner operator

here is a short list of spec more info to come

4.11 rears 40,000lbs

13,000 front

500hp dd15

6 speed allison auto

228 wheelbase

comes with anti idle ac/heater power from 4 battery’s

I have not put the governor on at a lower speed yet its set to 110kph

depending on type of trailer and where i drive i get between 40-46 liters per 100 km

as this truck is not broke in yet i expect the fuel consumption to get better with each week

Update

I am having a great run the truck is working great the fuel mileage is getting better

as i expect it would as i go through the break in period.

i have not cut my gov to 93 yet i am running at 105kms till end of the month

a few things i have been asked

when will i wash my truck? : my truck will have to earn money first before i wax/buff

i will only polish it twice a year it has the durashine coating

but i wash every 2 weeks with soap and water

how does it ride?:  like a dream a nice soft ride

whats your milage ?: depends on my trailers tandem, tridem, cans, van, deck and the load weights i haul upto 46,500 kg and where i run

i drive over 1-3 mountian ranges every day some of the steepest roads in north america

but my average is from 41-44 liters used per 100 kms

have a great day and Remember to Stop and thank a Veteran

Update June 15th

Well I got through the first month of operating as a truck owner I was able to pull 16120 miles in 27 days out of 30

The truck is running fine had a minor problem but that was expected

After running that hard I am at home with my family I go back on the Tuesday

After I get the totals for fuel def and payed vs unpaid miles I will update

Byron

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