Crossroads has been awarded 55% of the South African Post Office’s linehaul business for the next three years.

The Post Office requires suppliers to deliver the post over 19 million kilometres annually. The business won by Crossroads requires it to commit a fleet of 42 vehicles and put 92 highly trained drivers behind the wheel.

Zipho Makhoba, Crossroads GM: National Linehaul says, “The new contract will see the appointed suppliers bringing only their truck tractors to the party – the trailers will all belong to the Post Office which will give them more flexibility to adjust the solution to the inevitable variation in postal demand.

“This presents us with a great opportunity to bring to life what we both represent in the market space.Crossroads’ agile minds and flexible solutions help the Post Office deliver, whatever it takes.”

Makhoba says Crossroads has been allocated 12 routes. Four of them are new: Johannesburg-Nelspruit, Johannesburg-Polokwane, Johannesburg-PE and Johannesburg-East London.

“Fortunately, with our existing Courier Express Parcel service, these channels already exist for us. We already have an extensive national infrastructure in place.”

Crossroads’ total route allocation includes direct loops, in which the same vehicle is back at its point of departure within 24hrs. Majority of this allocation demands delivery within 24hrs to destinations over thousands of kilometres requiring dedicated vehicles and double drivers.

Adds Makhoba, “There is only a 30-minute grace period for on-time arrivals. So high service levels are non-negotiable on this contract. Only providers with trained and experienced drivers, dedicated vehicles and facilities supported by on-road breakdown assistance can deliver the extremely high service levels demanded by the Post Office.”