Truckstops

[RobA]

After reading the "Truckstop Gouging" thread; I started wondering how a truckstop makes any money today.
Truckstops seem to be turning into glorified rest areas and "away from home" terminals.
They traditionally made money on fuel sales and had things like restaurants, stores, tire repair as well.
Truckers sitting for 34 hours occupy space but won't be buying fuel for much of that time. They might buy food and a shower; but does that make up for the space they occupy?
Truckstops have to hire people, pay property taxes, payroll taxes etc.
I know that most truckers don't like it; but since since the trucking companies use the truckstops instead of building terminals and facilities; I see truck stops charging for parking soon; just to stay in business.

 

[redytrk]

Pay to park is and has been all over the west coast.

Today I am parked at TA Southington Ct. $12.00,or free W/50 gal.

Truck stops could enhance revenue by having shore power at reasonable cost. Idle aire is an overkill. All I need is electricity.

 

[BigBusBob]

I don't think IdleAire is an "Overkill", really I wish they'd develop something similar to that for busses... esp. in towns like NYC and DC. I imagine laying over in a bus with the roof hatch popped open and Cold AC or warm air coming in, block heaters, and power for TV/video equipment. DC is in desperate need for something like that. They're building a new convention center when they really need more and better bus parking.

Idle Aire should look into that. a building similar to the Port Authority building in NYC where drivers can go and get a card or pass of some sort and it's good for 24 hours, but you have to move atleast once every 4 to 6 hours, even if only for 30 min. outside. park all the busses on a 2nd or 3rd level, have a decent place to eat and a nice drivers lounge where you can only get in by showing your CDL license. $10 per bus, $15 at the most. They'd make a killing, it's just a matter of gettin' the land though. And, have parking area's for trucks, at the same price. Operate it 24/7, 365 days a year. Have enough staff too that can help with directing traffic.
Have a CB shop, an electronics shop with qualified electricians at a decent rate, and some mechanics/tire guys there in the building too.

You create what?
1. better quality of air from reduced idling
2. better rested driver, meaning more alert (hopefully) and less accidents.
3. less traffic from emptier streets 'cause there's less busses/trucks seeking parking.
4. jobs, with the construction and operation of the facilities.


Ahhhh, what a nice dream. Smile!

 

[The Gibster]

Hey Bob,

Remember the Union Station in D.C.? They charge $20 a bus ( at least they did 3-4 years ago) and you had the run of the mall in the building. On all day excursions we literally would have the groups end their day by reassembing there for reload.

Your stack 'em and park 'em idea has merit, but there are unfortunately some major differences in bussin and truckin. We use Qualcom, and the sat signal would'nt work in the concrete and rebar structure.

Also we use a few creature comforts that typically aren't found on the tour busses, like sat TV/Radio, generators. D.C. won't let you idle at all in Union Station, that would include generators. We used to park at 'The Wall', down by the waterfront. The cops started ticketing and chased us away.

I think, as you say the land aquisition is the deterent. And even at pay-fer-parking lots, they still can't get rid of the litterbugs, or pee-bottles.

I don't remember having to deal with those things around motorcoaches, you know what I mean Bob? It's sad.

The Gibster

 

[Broompilot]

Stand back and watch the cash flow over the counter and take the fuel away. How many drivers just pull in fuel and there gone. Whats in there hand, luch time two hot dogs, soda, chips and one item for the truck total $10.00 or just under.

Now take a 34 hour layover. Me for an example, no fuel, soda, coffee at $1.39 and oatmeal $3.79 tip. Ate lunch in truck, one fax $4.00, dinner buffet and tea $11.79 tip, breakfeast ate good buffet $ 8.50 tip, one small purchase in store $5.00. And you wonder if they are profitable.

 

[RobA]

>
>Now take a 34 hour layover. Me for an example, no fuel,
>soda, coffee at $1.39 and oatmeal $3.79 tip. Ate lunch in
>truck, one fax $4.00, dinner buffet and tea $11.79 tip,
>breakfeast ate good buffet $ 8.50 tip, one small purchase in
>store $5.00. And you wonder if they are profitable.


That's exactly why I wonder how they are profitable.......you were there 34 hours and spent 34.47; or approximately 1.00 per hour.
That's why the service goes down hill; that's why the cashiers are so few and so busy. You can say there are maybe 100 drivers or more sitting there; but I don't see enough sales to make a return.
I'm not criticizing you; you have to keep your costs down; but why would anyone open a truckstop nowadays?

Think of the property tax alone for a 5 or 10 acre site.
Business taxes; payroll taxes; light and heat in the buildings; light in the parking lots; security etc etc ......

I don't see the situation improving.
Even charging 25 to 30 dollar per 24 hours doesn't generate THAT much revenue. Heck when I sleep in a motel now; it's 85.00 a night for a half decent one.

It is one of those situations that doesn't show an easy solution.

 

[merkurfan]

If your paying 85 a night for a hotel your getting the short end of the deal. There are alot in the 30-50 range that are just fine.

Don't forget there are a ton of splash and dash fuel sales at truck stops. (truck fuels, and leaves) I also heard only about 40% of their business comes from trucks. Remember, they pump gasoline there too. 9 dollar showers add up as well. Truck stops make money, they must, or they would have all gone under. And honestly, do you think the truck stuff they sell does not have much of a mark up? Take cb accessories as a example. Do you really think a 6 foot cb antenna cable cost the truck stop 8 dollars? but they sell them for 9.99

Most truck stops are a ways out of town. Rarely do you find one in a major metro area. The ones that are have been there so long the area has grown around them. They are like this because land is cheaper and taxes are lower.

I won't shead a tear for a truck stop, they are making money, or they would have closed.

 

[LDB]

As many times as I've waited in line to get to the fuel island and before I can fuel and pull up there's another truck waiting behind me and that's multiplied by a dozen spots in the fuel island I'd say they make money. Figure maybe 100 gal. avg. of all fuel purchases times 12 islands times 3 cycles per hour is 3600 gallons per hour times maybe 15 since some hours will be slower is over 50,000 gallons a day of just diesel. At maybe a dime a gallon profit that's five grand a day right there and I suspect the gallons pumped is higher than that.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[BigBusBob]

I think engineers could find a way to figure out how QC signals can get thru, even if it means putting busses on lower levels, and trucks at the top levels or near the top levels.
IdleAire systems give a driver all the power they need, even extension cords to run tools if need be to fix any problems.
So, if Union Station was to incorperate IdleAire into their facility I'm sure trucks would fill it up rather quickly. I've been at the Petro on the west side of Atlanta at exit 12 on the beltway many times and seen that IdleAire full to the gills. I love IdleAire.
Regarding the Sat. TV/Radio, IdleAire gives you the Sat. TV, the Sat. Radio would only be a shout away. XM Radio is fairly durable when it comes to their signals.
Gibster, I wanna know more about that 14' Prevost. Smile! BigBusBob

 

[highway star]

Testing

 

[creekindian33]

i dont realy mind paying for parking as long as they have the same deal t/a does an the parking has a guard i like leaving my windoes open at night cant do that just any were so if there is a guard an they charge i dont mind paying:7 :7

 

[BigDiesel]

If you dont think Truck Stops are making money you have to be kidding me!

This is from the TA website:

Oak Hill Capital Partners, LP, a private equity investment group, purchases TA for approximately $731 million. The acquisition provides TA with the additional investment resources needed to realize network growth and expansion plans.
TA adds a third restaurant concept with the opening of the first Fork In The Road restaurant at Las Cruces, New Mexico. Introduced at the response of customer's desire for dining diversity, the 50s-style diner offers a mix of customer favorites and regional specialties.
RoadKing ClubTM is launched to become the premier frequent fueler program in the industry. More than 360,000 drivers enrolled during the first four months.
The acquisition of TA by Oak Hill Capital Management, Inc., a private equity investment group was completed in November 2000.

 

[LDB]

I spoke to the manager of the J in Dallas recently. They pump 1,500,000 gallons of diesel per month at that location which is right at the 50,000 gallons per day I guesstimated previously. I don't know what the profit pre gallon is but there's definitely money being made.

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[Broompilot]

What a great investment; build a truck stop some 20 miles outside of Charlotte N.C. keep it up nice and clean for 5 years build a nice reputation than let it go to crap in the next ten years. Now the city has moved out to you, sell the entire land package to Bob Evnas, McDonalds, Cracker Barrell and keep the fuel station for cars and lease it.

Can you say MILLIONS not just million... So many in business are only concerened with the sale rather than actually running the company with pride.....

 

[Critter Truckin]

All of that and you can only hope that the people inside aren't as nasty as the truckers that visit. I saw the weirdest (nastiest) thing the other day... A man (I can only assume that he was a trucker) was passed clean out on the couches (yes couches) of the Hook in Wytheville, VA. As he was knocked out, he was snoring louder than the tele and his EXTRA HUGE gut was almost touching the floor!!! Now, if I have to pay a little bit more to get rid of sights such as this, and get some friendlier people that work on the inside of such places, I'll gladly do it.

Besides, who wants to see drool AND a gut hangin to a floor in the same sight?!?!?!

 

[bryan]

Hi
The Flying J makes .03 per gallon on fuel sales.Throw in a free shower and meal coupons and they come up even.I was told this by the manager in Indy.No truck stops don't make the money they use to.They use to get a commission every time you used the phone at the table now we all have cell phones.But the big problem isn't the guy who sits in his truck for 34 hours it's the local guys who park in the truck stop and go home.Or the people who park and fix their meals in their truck.Or the car drivers who use the truck stop as a park and ride.Or the people who dump their junk cars and trucks in the parking lot.

The only truck stops that seem to be making it are the big chains.Which I hate to see as I miss eating local food. Now no matter where you go the menu's all look the same the food all taste the same.No more flair just the same old same old.It's also hurting the truck mechanics as they are having to work for big companies instead of being independent's. The fewer the truck stops the further we have to drive to find a parking spot.

I think the problems started when the freight rates went stagnant.In order to stay in business truckers had to find ways to cut costs.So they stopped eating in truck stops and either put in a microwave or walked over to a fast food place.We needed to cut out the cost of showers so we only fueled at places that offered free showers.Was this the right decision or are we now paying the price?

 

[BigBusBob]

Regarding the driver sleeping in the drivers lounge...
I have to stand up for the person to some degree...

I'm guessing that some of you have never run a day cab before,
or never run a straight truck 23 hours without a sleeper.
Perhaps you weren't feeling well, sat down in the drivers "Lounge" and fell asleep.
Because he was snoring loudly makes him a bad person?

if you're on a cell phone, and you can't hear somebody on your cell because somebody in the lounge is sleeping and snoring... go elsewhere to use the phone and quit whining. if your ona pay phone, find another to use or struggle to listen more. Most J's have the doors to close in the payphone so you can have more peace during your calls.

The sound of a driver snoring is alot better than the sound of a driver crashing.

Regarding the truckstops all seeming to be the same...
here's an idea...
get your fuel where you're the best off financially,
and park somewhere nice.
You don't have to park at a chain, there's plenty of nice independant truckstops still out there.

There's plenty of ways to save money on food - nobody is forcing you to eat the fast food and garbage foods.

Ok, I'm done.