SECURE TRUCK PARKING
17
PARKING OPERATOR
PARTNER APPROVED SECURE
CERTIFIED SECURE PARKING OPERATOR
LEVEL 1
CERTIFIED SECURE PARKING OPERATOR
LEVEL 2
CERTIFIED SECURE PARKING OPERATOR
LEVEL 3
“No matter how well organised one is, the fact that you have to prove that to an external auditor makes you improve.”
The cost and trauma of a cargo theft will, of course, encourage victims to look for safer parking places. Another trend increasing bookings is the growing population of female drivers.
“We have not yet seen a truck parking which exists solely on offering security only. Hence the level of security does not seem to correlate with tariffs paid. Having said that, it’s clear that trucks seeking increased security do have less of a problem paying increased costs for parking associated with higher security measures. TAPA has so far demonstrated that its members do look for secure truck parkings and we do see TAPA members visiting our sites more often. So there definitely is a benefit.” Affordability, though, has to be part of the offer. Ton Barten takes the view of ‘how much security can we offer without making the parking too expensive for those seeking parking space and comfort only.’ Getting that right promises a win/win for all concerned.
Targeting secondary parking sites
He says TAPA can make more progress towards closing the supply vs. demand gap by targeting more of the locations that are not currently offering what customers want. “These are the sites that will most benefit from teaming up with the TAPA PSR programme and undergoing the certification process. It will show them the shortfalls to fix and provide focus as well as exposure to potential customers. Current databases only show
truck parkings that are open for transit traffic and many of these are linked to a restaurant or fuel site, for which parking is secondary. Undoubtedly, there are numerous smaller parkings with capacity to spare and with facilities to offer truck drivers. If TAPA can unlock a portion of this secondary category, that will help in closing the gap.”
So, given his backing of TAPA’s PSR, what is Ton Barten’s message to other owners and operators of truck parking places?
“Improving the security of your location will attract new customers. The only way to optimise investment and operations, in order to unlock that potential, is to team up with TAPA. It will make your location visible and known to those interested in making bookings and, at the same time, give you a set of requirements and an audit system to ensure you do what is needed to sustain the business of a secure parking.”
A serious business opportunity
“Entering into this new business model is a way to differentiate your service offering. The associated investments and operational costs undoubtedly will be there, but so will the extra revenues. As one entrepreneur to another, I would say ‘please look into it!’ Given the overall shortage of secure parkings, this is a serious opportunity and can make a huge difference to the future of your business.
“By the same token, if current operators take no action whilst the demand is there, then they run the risk that another party will step in, meet the demand, and potentially disrupt their business.”
He concludes: “External databases of secure truck parkings benefit us all. Potentially all European drivers are our customers, so you must be recognised as a serious participant in this industry. The best way is to intensify your contacts with companies that already visit your site and to be listed on as many databases as possible with creditable references. A TAPA PSR certificate will surely help every site get the attention of planners and drivers.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30
