New FTA service to promote rail freight

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is seeking to promote the use of rail freight to companies that have not previously considered it through a new service – FTA FastTrack.

To launch it this new rail freight assessment service is being offered free to companies.  It will provide them with impartial advice to assess the potential benefits of rail and whether to explore the service further.

Christopher Snelling, FTA’s Head of Global Supply Chain Policy, said: “Rail freight has a tremendous amount to offer now but there may still be some companies that don’t explore the rail option as they assume it will not work for them, or that it will be too complicated.  FTA wants to help encourage those companies to think rail by providing a very simple to use first step which can estimate if rail is a possibility for them and if so, where they would go from here.”

FastTrack aims to provide logistics buyers with access to a range of information on rail freight.  Through one simple form the potential user will provide information on type of freight, number and volume of shipments and origin and destination points.  FastTrack would provide an assessment of feasibility, cost and environmental benefit.

“Rail freight has the potential to really grow in the next few years, but in order for it to properly flourish we need to make it more accessible to new entrants.  FastTrack will help companies to break down potential barriers to entry enabling them to quickly come to a well-informed view on whether they can tap into the benefits of rail freight and, if so, how,” added Christopher Snelling.

“As the UK pan-modal freight association, FTA is uniquely placed to provide an impartial assessment of the merits of rail for businesses.”

FTA is currently offering FastTrack free of charge. To find out more, visit: www.fta.co.uk/fasttrack

Published: 18/06/2010