That's my feelings too. But for company drivers who spend vast majority of time OTR, they can no longer deduct those high costs at tax time. The raised standard deduction they are forced to be happy with can never exceed what today's costs can accumulate to over a year.
So for many [employee drivers] they now have to think long and hard before they pay for a motel or a shower or non-reimbursed parking. The ability to itemize those expenses to help reduce tax burden took a lot of the sting out of trying to live half-way comfortably out on the road 340+ days/yr. That's now gone for employees drivers who are not otherwise reimbursed for hotels or showers, and can't deduct meal expenses.
The Future of Truck Parking (Shortage Issue) & HomeTime
Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by LineHaulLodge, Mar 14, 2018.
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I have to say.... this is truly fantastic. I love the stir of raw emotions in this discussion. It's certainly a topic that won't die soon. If you'll indulge me once again, I'd like to respond and raise a different question.
First, I apologize if anyone took the "money comments" wrong. I was only responding to someone that initially suggested this was a $1M venture and my response was intended to help them understand the plan was to spread these around the country and that would require a much larger investment. It certainly wasn't to "boast" - not my thing.
I also recognize the value (and limitations) of market studies. And never once did I mention I wasn't going to use them in the process. However, I can tell you that I've read and utilized hundreds of studies like the one you're proposing. They are generally all about data - in this case - traffic counts, manufacturing centers, truck counts, companies, drivers, etc. All DATA. The value of this kind of forum discussion is much more intuitive and I genuinely appreciate all of your comments - positive or otherwise. It doesn't take a rocket scientist (or a market study) to recognize there is a problem here. The industry has 3MM+ drivers/trucks and only 306,000 overnight parking spaces at truckstops, rest areas or other dedicated approved locations. That's a clear problem.
Next, it is clear that at least 90% of the drivers (company drivers) have generally not seen wages keep up with inflation over the last 30 years or more. Along with tax limitations, it's easy to understand how & why most driver's just simply can't (or don't want to) pay for this service.
Many of you recognize that your peers act like pre-historic animals as you talk about their habits that are so disgusting, it doesn't merit repeating any of it. I think like any other group, you have to figure out how to give them a reason to stop the bad behavior, or weed them out. I see the "members" of this so called, driver's club if you will, as the epitome of the drivers employers really want.
So, HOW DO YOU FIX IT? That's the question at stake and the heart of the discussion.
For the moment, let's disregard the "features" of the facility. If I'm doing it, I'm going to deliver quality because that's how I roll.... period. It's going to be well-planned, nicely appointed and well maintained. And we all know, these facilities cost money to build and operate correctly - and if they won't turn a reasonable profit, no one will build them UNLESS it's a company building it for their own drivers. That said, the real efficiency is in having "shared facilities" spread across the vast network of roads so that many companies/drivers have to access to them wherever they are - not just in their own backyard.
So, If the companies you work for indicate they can't (or won't) pay for it, who can and will? If I can solve the revenue problem to this question, we all know it can become a reality. And the interesting part is that the revenue is really not that much on a "per use" basis. Many of you have said you'd be happy to cough up $20-25 of your own money to use it. The reality is to get the proper level of service and staff, it will likely cost a bit more than that. So.... help me with THIS question.....
How do we bridge the gap of what the market will pay to the cost required to make it an attractive and viable facility for your needs? Are there other services needed that might be provided by others (and regularly needed) that would find a captive audience of 10,000 or more drivers attractive? This group appears to be pretty intelligent - now it's time to be creative! Think hard..... what other resources would you add to the equation to makes the economics work?
By the way, here is just one of the facilities I just finished less than 1 mile off I-75 near Knoxville. I can honestly tell you that the drivers who get the benefit to enjoy it have raved about how much they appreciate calling this their home away from home.
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This is how I see the future of trucking developing. Give me a safe place to park and a clean shower and that's all I need. I'm not interested in a monthly fee for 'amenities' I won't use.TallJoe, 28, stwik and 1 other person Thank this. -
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