THE Pallet Network (TPN) is serving free evening meals to all its trunk drivers in a bid to inspire the UK logistics industry to improve conditions for HGV drivers and stem the worsening driver shortage.
The hot meals are provided in an on-site pop-up restaurant, with dedicated serving areas under a marquee and plenty of outdoor seating which allows for social distancing. The menus are carefully chosen to be popular but also nutritious, and the meal on offer varies each night.
The free meal scheme started three months ago and is available every week night from late evening until 4am. TPN provides almost 350 hot meals every night.
“Many of our drivers face long journeys, and we do not want them having to rely on snack food or over-priced service station fare,” says TPN MD Mark Kendall. “The least we can do for people driving for hours at night is make sure they have a free, hot meal awaiting them when they arrive at the Hub.”
In order to encourage healthy habits, drivers must pay for additional fizzy drinks and confectionery.
TPN’s Minworth Hub has always had full toilet, shower, and kitchen facilities, equipped with microwaves and toasters for driver use. It also has rest areas with TVs.
“We are very aware that many sites in the UK do not even provide the basic facilities which drivers need for human dignity, let alone places to make themselves comfortable and take the comfort and statutory rest breaks they need,” says Kendall.
“TPN has great driver facilities, with a rest room, access to TVs, shower, toilet facilities and a full kitchen,” he says. “However, we need to go further as a sector. We don’t want our drivers having to live off microwaved soup or toast. Anyone working the night shift is already forgoing family time and most social meals as they provide an essential service while most UK residents are in their beds.
“It is time we all started to think about what more we can do to ensure that drivers’ journeys are as easy and well accommodated as possible,” says Kendall.
The logistics industry is facing a critical driver shortage, which Logistics UK estimates at circa 76,000.
Wow!! TPN Well done indeed. I hope more establishments will take up the initiative. For too many years truckers have suffered bad conditions and lack of even basic facilities. Service areas are both expensive, not enough showers and over priced unhealthy food.
If your going to attract new drivers then TPN ‘s example is a great starting point. The wider picture is that we need great truck drivers to help rebuild the UK, so come on Government, FTA and RHA support our fantastic drivers and give them the facilities that anyone else would expect.
How about pay for the slavery caused to the drivers and so we can buy our own food, we don’t yet need food bank. Thanks for the charity anyway
How about pay for the slavery caused to the drivers and so we can buy our own food, we don’t yet need food bank. Thanks for the charity anyway
Drivers used to get paid better rates 10/15 years ago then it dropped like a stone if the rates went back up then this would encourage more people to train up as hgv drivers and encourage those who have dropped out to come back also to improve service stations with decent wash facilities also alot of the services have hotels rather than leave rooms unoccupied hire them out to drivers but at a premium.
Most comments are missing the point i have driven HGV from 1975 all over world and I am a driver assessor from 2000 .Most companies just work on lo cost drivers ie agency, they are not giving any stability to the industry or drivers, this is why a lot of drivers are leaving job me included. I loved training and assessments work it gave me time to get to know the driver and there real ability, some of the best assessments I did where women drivers. ? Most of the costs are accidents from bad driver or pressure on driver to get job done quickly in stead of well. I spent time with drivers to explain the job and Tacho rules if they keep having the same faults, i cut infringements down 75% in 7 weeks by doing this. The pressure on drivers is massive from all aspects of the job, they need help to help the companies which in turn helps every body and costs.