Transport modes should stop engaging in PR wars: CTA

ST. JOHN’S, (Aug. 3, 2004) — The CEO of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, David Bradley, invited the marine industry to work with the trucking industry at the annual conference of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities in St. John’s, Nfld.

“There are two ways it can work, other modes can either co-operate with the trucking industry in true intermodal partnerships, or they can try and compete with us. Ultimately the shipper will decide, and when it comes to service they have chosen over-the-road transportation for most shipments within North America.”

“So if a mode wants to compete with trucking, bring it on. Try and emulate what trucks do.”

Bradley contended that there is much the various modes share in common, such as increased security costs, sky-rocketing fuel and insurance costs, a shortage of workers, an infrastructure deficit and government policy that takes transportation for granted — and that they should be working together “rather than throwing money at public relations campaigns bashing other modes, particularly trucking which has the lion’s share of the freight.”

In particular, Bradley took aim at the recent billboard and radio campaign launched by the St. Lawrence Seaway (Highway H20) which portrays the marine sector as being environmentally and socially superior to trucks. “That’s rather over-stating the point and quite frankly is inconsistent with the facts. All modes are vulnerable to criticism.”


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