Trains Are Slow, So Why Choose Intermodal?

You’re likely already aware of how important continual optimization is to your supply chain. Cost-efficiency and sustainability being some of the most sought-after improvements. Choosing an intermodal solution for your supply chain will create capacity and provide cost saving measures for your business.

Intermodal shipping combines multiple transportation modes: container drayage from shipper to rail, rail movement to destination terminal, and drayage to the final customer. A professionally managed transportation provider can offer a full end-to-end solution. Intermodal is a reliable option, less affected by weather, and is crucial for moving freight across North America.

Here are some reasons intermodal might be right for you.

1. Cost Efficiency

Combining shipping methods can cut costs and provide greater capacity. Additionally, this approach enhances operational efficiency by ensuring that once the container is loaded, it remains intact for the duration of its journey. This is especially advantageous when moving freight in and out of Mexico, as it minimizes handling and streamlines the process, leading to significant cost savings.

• Visibility & Service

Visibility can be tricky as the supply chain gets more complicated, especially when you begin to integrate intermodal, but a larger asset-based company has the technology available to keep shippers updated.  Additionally, having a dedicated CSR to act as your go-to contact is crucial to maintain the high quality and personalized service that shippers expect. In addition to the CSR, automatic updates can be utilized so that shippers have the analytics available to optimize their supply chains.

Customer connectivity to a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the service line that the customer works with is important. A great SME is just as connected to the customer as the Enterprise Seller.  This accelerates the trust between the customer and their supply chain partner.

• Lower Carbon Footprint

Intermodal produces a much smaller carbon footprint, this is because rail is one of the most fuel-efficient forms of shipping. Intermodal shipping enables shippers to utilize a higher payload in both domestic Canada and between Mexico and Canada, through CPKC’s single line solution connecting the two countries. Moving more freight for less than it would cost to go purely by truck.

Overall, intermodal is a great option for businesses looking to optimize their supply chain and by utilizing Bison’s partnership with CPKC, a Class-1 rail line, shippers can cut costs while improving their impacts on the environment.

Learn more about Bison’s intermodal solutions can help your business.

Intermodal