Con-Way unveils ESL network

July 8, 2002
LTL conglomerate Con-Way Transportation Services is expanding its next-day and second-day delivery service to 6,000 U.S. cities in an effort to speed up freight delivery times. Con-Way's Extended Service Lanes (ESL) involves three of the Ann Arbor, MI-based carrier's subsidiaries – Con-Way Central Express, Con-Way Southern Express and Con-Way Western Express. Con-Way said it tested ESL in May on a
LTL conglomerate Con-Way Transportation Services is expanding its next-day and second-day delivery service to 6,000 U.S. cities in an effort to speed up freight delivery times. Con-Way's Extended Service Lanes (ESL) involves three of the Ann Arbor, MI-based carrier's subsidiaries – Con-Way Central Express, Con-Way Southern Express and Con-Way Western Express.

Con-Way said it tested ESL in May on a limited number of delivery lanes. Since the first of June each Con-Way regional carrier has started special sleeper team operations that achieve the reduced transit performance. This involved the placement of special tractors with sleeper cabs, organization of driver teams and adjustment of computerized shipment routing systems, said Con-Way COO Doug Stotlar.

"The new operating procedures will replace two-day service with next-day service in a large number of markets and the expansion of our second-day service will cover even more geography." Stotlar said, adding that it would provide ESL service at the same prices negotiated for previous service levels.

Con-Way estimates roughly two-thirds of the markets and about three-quarters of the population in the continental U.S. will be affected by this network expansion, which includes small, medium, and major markets.

About the Author

Sean Kilcarr | Editor in Chief

Sean previously reported and commented on trends affecting the many different strata of the trucking industry. Also be sure to visit Sean's blog Trucks at Work where he offers analysis on a variety of different topics inside the trucking industry.

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