Effects Of COVID 19 On The Trucking Industry

Story at a Glance–

• The positive effect of Corona virus
• The negative effect of Corona virus
• New business opportunities in the trucking industry
• Matrack for fleet companies

When the pandemic hit, no one raised their hopes on the luxury airlines or means to satisfy a fancy living. Instead everyone banked on the trucking industry for transportation and deliveries of their daily essentials and basic needs. A big shout-out to all you fleet owners and truck drivers, this is how important you are!

The pandemic has imposed an array of restrictions across the United States. However, there is no way you can bring the transport industry to a halt. Be it transport of goods or people (for essential purposes), the fleet industry of transportation holds remarkable importance even in the novel Corona virus situation.

The trucking industry is a link between the goods and consumers. If it was not for transport, there is no way the goods would ever reach the end consumer. While the Novel Corona virus has managed a pause in every second sector of the U.S economy, the trucking sector is more or less untouched. After all the negative effects brought about by COVID 19, the trucking industry still remains blessed with a few positives amid the pandemic.

Here’s what’s happening in the trucking industry since the pandemic hit the U.S;

The Positives of the Pandemic on the Trucking Industry

• The closing of many sectors, temporarily or permanently, has led to a lot of layoffs in the U.S.  This made a lot of U.S. employees ponder upon making a career switch and choose truck driving as a career instead
• The trucking industry saw an upsurge in freight as grocery stores found an urgent need to restock food and other staples depleted by panic buying
• The employment in the trucking industry has been more or less intact ad fleets have not had to layoff drivers due to high demand of transport
• While the pandemic imposed a lot of restrictions on businesses, the FMCSA expanded the exemptions for fleet companies and large carriers
• 3.5 million Professional truckers across the U.S continue to work to keep stores and businesses stocked. This means that the trucking industry is still rich with employment in these crises
• Truck drivers are the new heroes and are regarded as none less than the doctors and nurses in front line during the pandemic
• When thousands of Americans have already lost their jobs because of coronavirus closures, truck drivers have gained job security and due respect
• While the demand in almost every other sector begins to decline, the demand in the trucking industry continues to rise
• A driving school in San Antonio has reported a rise in new students wanting to make a career in truck driving. “While there’s unemployment and layoffs rising, trucks are still moving. We can’t deny that trucks are involved in moving the goods needed in a pandemic every day,” Brad Ball, the President of Roadmaster in San Antonio quoted
• Texas on the other hand has reported a surge in people seeking trucking license

Amid the crisis, there are ample truck stops that have taken extra measures to serve truck drivers as they transport good across the country. However, it is important that our front line heroes take appropriate safety measures keep themselves from contracting Corona virus and stopping the spread of the virus too.

The Temporary Negatives of COVID 19 on the Trucking Industry

Although COVID 19 has brought about a positive outcome in the trucking industry, the negative impact cannot be overlooked. There are plenty of drawbacks that the crisis has cast not only over the United States but also globally. Enlisted below are factors that contribute to slowing the trucking industry.

• As many new students are willing to take to the roads, gaining training assistance for the same is close to impossible due to the “social distancing” rule for safety against COVID 19
• 27 states in the U.S have shut down their DMVs due to the coronavirus. License permit for new drivers are critical for the same reasons
• The pandemic has put excessive pressure on the trucking industry which carries 71 % of all freight across the country
• Although the trucking industry faced ample pressurization at the beginning of the pandemic, the transport sector has seen a decline in demand of goods on the whole
• The decline in demand has also led to delayed or empty return trips for truck drivers
• Fleets catering to non-essential goods have their businesses on a temporary hold
• “The trucking industry — like the rest of the economy — has never seen such an abrupt deterioration. Grocery demand might still be higher than normal, but all other areas of freight are now sharply lower. The increase in online purchasing certainly does not come close to offsetting the loss of brick-and-mortar purchasing,” says Avery Vise, Vice President, trucking for FTR Transportation Intelligence.

The negatives brought about by the pandemic is however temporary. The decline in demand is sure to last only until the lockdown lifted.

A Business Opportunity for Truck Fleets

The pandemic has made it evident that the trucking sector is invincible to a crisis as they form the core of the supply chain. This industry was also once rendered recession-proof. What better than a recession proof sector can make good business? Truck fleet owners would agree!

While almost every other sector has come to rest, the trucking industry has been on a constant run hauling goods like basic essentials, medical equipment, groceries, staples, livestock, precursor raw materials and more. Most fleets have therefore had their businesses running amid the pandemic. This is indeed a big plus for fleet companies.

Albeit the pandemic, as the trucking industry keeps the show running, statistics have estimated 25,000 to 40,000 new truck drivers from taking to the roads in near future.

Predictions also state that a surge in the need for drivers would surface once the pandemic settles and restaurants open up.

As COVID 19 made new students enrol for truck driving license, it sure must have had wise businessmen consider spreading their roots in to the truck fleet sector for transportation. A fleet business would nevertheless be a wise move.

Matrack for Fleets

Matrack takes pride in providing unblemished service gps tracking trucking services to our fleet heroes in the time of crises. It is obvious that our customers are facing the harsh brunt that COVID 19 has thrown their way but also commendable at how they have emerged with utmost bravery on the front line to serve the nation during this tough situation.

Corona virus has affected the trucking industry majorly both negatively and positively. Most companies now are faced with hampered csa trucking company scores. However, the pandemic has also rendered as an opportunity for fleets to emerge as a trending business to meet the current and future demand in the U.S. Owning a trucking company could sure be an option now.

If you are considering a fleet setup, Matrack can assist you in setting up your fleet business with ELDs, gps tracking for trucking and more.

“Matrack is more than happy to provide full assistance to its customers and will leave no stone unturned while providing unprecedented service amid this crisis. By choosing us you’ve undoubtedly chosen the best and we will deliver on our word.” Says Cam Smith, VP at Matrackinc