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Burlington Northern Santa Fe and motor carrier Swift Transportation Co. Inc. Dec. 18 launched a seamless perishable-commodity service.
The companies plan initially to move temperature-controlled perishables between the West Coast, Midwest and Southeast. BNSF will provide box cars for long-haul moves; Swift, over-the-road transportation for short hauls.
Both companies plan to coordinate any necessary transload or cross-dock moves.
"Today, many shippers are hesitant to use a rail/truck transportation package because of the complexity of having to coordinate with multiple parties," said Chuck Schultz, BNSF executive vice president and chief marketing officer, in a prepared statement, adding that the seamless service — which the companies might expand in the future — provides one contact point to make shipping easier.
The service is an extension of BNSF's and Swift's intermodal moves between the Midwest, Texas and West Coast, and Interstate 5 RoadRailer® service between Los Angeles and Portland.