Truck Topics

Fyda and Metro Express - Ten Wheelers and Tractors

By Jeff Jensen, Editor
Posted Jun 3rd 2005 4:42AM

fyda1.jpgFyda Freightliner of Columbus, Ohio has announced a new partnership program with expedited carrier Metro Express of St. Louis, Missouri.

This new program is designed to help the Metro Express owner-operator (with team operation only) purchase enhanced capacity equipment, i.e., stretched Class 8-based straight trucks with tandems or Class 8 tractors.

Fyda is offering a $650.00 rebate on this equipment and Metro Express will pay its owner-operator teams up to $3,000.00 in truck payments for these trucks.

Rob Stuart, Operations Manager of Metro Express says that his company is enjoying increased freight opportunities for straight truck teams with a cargo capacity of up to 20,000 pounds.

John LaLonde is an expediting truck specialist at Fyda Freightliner who is working closely with Metro Express and he says, "Working in partnership with Metro Express, we've put together a great program for its owner-operators!  Fyda of Columbus has been in the truck business for over fifty years and we've been serving the expediting truck market for over ten years.  We've specialized in the heavy-duty, Class eight stetched trucks for four years now."

"These units are pre-owned Freightliners that have been completely serviced, detailed and DOT inspected.  Tandem axles have been installed for Metro Express's requirements and this results in a complete 'turn key' truck setup."

"We are working hand-in-hand with Metro Express to try to make the owner-operators' transition into these enhanced-payload straight trucks and tractors as smooth as possible."

LaLonde adds, "Our service department is open 24/7, and with our central location in Columbus at the cross roads of I-70 and I-71, we're in the heart of expediting country."

Fyda Freightliner of Columbus 
   
fyda2.jpgAbout Metro Express
Metro Express, Inc. of St. Louis, MO is a privately owned transportation company founded in 1988 by president Tom Whaley.  The company began as a local pickup and delivery operation handling expedited freight for companies in the St Louis area. 

Metro Express expanded into a full-service expedited carrier for its Automotive, Government and Convention business.  It operates in all 48 states and Ontario, Canada.  The company also has hub locations in El Paso and McAllen, Texas and its service area is expanding into Texas and the Southeast.

Operational Details
The company utilizes a fleet consisting of company drivers and independent contractors with team operations only.  In a departure from
the "typical" expedited carrier operation, Metro Express doesn't use cargo vans in its 60-unit fleet; its truck sizes range from 22 - 24 foot straight trucks to tractor-trailers, all of which are sleeper equipped. 

Operations Manager Rob Stuart says that the company's average length of haul is now 1,200 miles and those loads are exceeding the typical "D" units payload capacity of 13,000 pounds.  As evidenced by the new partnership program with Fyda Freightliner, Metro Express is seeking larger straight trucks and tractors.

All Metro Express drivers are required to possess Commercial Driver Licenses with Hazardous Materials Endorsement.

fyda3.jpgAll Metro Express trucks are Qualcomm equipped and dispatch utilizes a
"First in-First-Out" policy.  Metro Express owner-operators enjoy the following benefits:

*Fuel Surcharge

*No forced dispatch

*No out of service penalties

*Pre-Pass

*Weekly settlements and direct deposit with EPAY MANAGER

*Electronic Fuel tax reporting

Rob Stuart states, "We're proud of the professionals we now have in our fleet.  Metro Express is continuing its growth and we're always looking for experienced independent contractors to join our company and grow with us."
 
For recruiting information, contact Rob Stuart at
800 805-0073.

Metro Express Online Pre-application