Introduction

As TFMXpress continued its national expansion, maintaining high service standards while keeping costs under control became a top priority. For years, our long-haul freight operations relied heavily on subcontracted transport providers. But to gain more control, reliability, and efficiency, we made a bold move in investing in our own linehaul fleet.

The Challenge

While using subcontractors provided flexibility, it also came with drawbacks: inconsistent service levels, limited control over schedules, and variable costs. As freight volumes increased across our national network, it became clear that to meet our rising customer expectations and manage costs sustainably, a new approach was needed.

The Solution

Backed by a detailed cost and service justification analysis and a strong focus on asset utilisation, we made the strategic shift to a company-owned linehaul model.

We invested in a dedicated fleet of high cube tautliners and secured eight of our own national linehaul legs. This gave us complete control over major trunk routes between capital cities. Most importantly, these vehicles weren’t idle between linehaul runs. During the day, they were also used for local pickups, further maximising asset usage and driving down unit costs.

This dual-purpose model not only increased the value of each asset but also enabled faster turnaround times and tighter schedule control.

The Result

The switch to a company-owned fleet quickly paid off:

• Improved service reliability thanks to direct control of routes and schedules
• Lower operating costs through more efficient vehicle utilisation
• Greater flexibility to respond to changes in customer demand
• Brand consistency with company-liveried vehicles representing TFMXpress across the country

Our decision to internalise linehaul operations marked a significant step forward in our long-term growth strategy. It allowed us to build a smarter, leaner and more customer-focused network.

Summary

Moving away from subcontractors in these lanes and investing in our own linehaul equipment has been a game-changer for TFMXpress. By improving asset utilisation and strengthening service performance, we’ve positioned ourselves to offer more reliable, cost-effective freight solutions to businesses across Australia, proving that the road to success is often one you pave yourself.