Trucking news: Schneider rolls out Northeast Regional service

Schneider National, a provider of transportation, logistics, and intermodal services, said this week it has made the final upgrades to its nationwide Regional service offering with its new Northeast Regional service.

This service is geared towards shippers in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont, according to company officials, bringing the total number of regional-serviced states to 48.

Schneider spokesperson Janet Bonkowski told LM this expansion is the result of shippers moving to a just-in-time model to improve their supply chains, which require the agility and responsiveness that regional service offers.

Schneider initially launched its Regional service in 2008 in the Western region of the U.S., and launch dates for subsequent regions were moved up due to customer demand, said Bonkowski.

“As customers continue to explore ways to improve their supply chains, they’re finding that regional service is a smart solution for the total length of haul,” said Marc Rogers, senior vice president and general manager of Schneider Van Truckload, in a statement. “Our Northeast Regional service – which specializes in shipments that are 500 miles or less – is the perfect complement to our Long Haul, Expedited, Dedicated and Intermodal services and ensures that Schneider National can offer a tailored program for each customer’s needs.”

Shipper benefits: Bonkowski noted that shippers in the Northeast appreciate that drivers who have been working in the region and really know the area are moving their freight, which translates into a firsthand familiarity with the area, the routes and, ultimately, the customer, which results in the dependability customers need.

“One of our Northeast customers, a pallet and container pooling services provider, has an on-site Schneider team that serves as an extension of their transportation team,” she said. “A Regional service gives customers the control and predictability of a private fleet without the expense.”

In terms of resources dedicated to the Northeast Regional service, Schneider is looking to allocate roughly 300 drivers to its Northeast Regional fleet. The company services hundreds of shippers with some degree of regularity in this region and expects that number to grow as customers become aware of Schneider’s Regional offering and the benefits it brings to their supply chain.