AUSTRALIAN transport companies, Linfox Logistics and Aurizon, are working to ensure the continued safe delivery of food and other essential goods for regional Queenslanders and thousands of other Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Linfox and Aurizon have added additional road and rail services, lifting the number of weekly intermodal services by more than 20% to meet increased consumer demand.
Aurizon locomotives transport Linfox rail containers to key rail hubs in Central and North Queensland, including Cairns, Innisfail, Townsville, Bowen, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Emerald, Alpha, Barcaldine, Longreach and Winton.
The increased northbound rail services out of Brisbane transport essential items such as food, groceries and beverages. Linfox then delivers the freight to scores of locations across regional Queensland.
Return southbound rail services transport fresh produce to markets and distribution centres for consumers across the country. Each train carries the equivalent of 80 B-double truckloads of freight.
“Collectively, we have mobilised a significant number of additional truck and train services to ensure essential items flow through to regional Queenslanders,” Linfox Logistics CEO Australia and New Zealand, Mark Mazurek said.
“Everything from groceries, to cleaning and personal care products, to fresh produce from Far North Queensland farms are delivered via these critical networks,” he said.
“There has been a fantastic response from both Linfox and Aurizon employees. They are showing extraordinary community spirit, responding delivering essential goods safely and efficiently.”
Linfox and Aurizon continue to remain focused on the health, safety and well-being of employees and the community.
“This applies not only in their everyday roles in the transport and logistics business but also in practicing safe distancing, enhanced cleaning procedures and high levels of workplace hygiene,” Aurizon’s group executive bulk, Clay McDonald, said.
“Together, we are pleased that our supply chain is delivering such an important service to the community during a very testing time for customers and communities across Queensland.”
The increased Linfox and Aurizon collaboration comes as the two companies celebrate one year since Linfox’s successful acquisition of Aurizon’s Queensland intermodal business, incorporating the transfer of employees, freight forwarding, pick-up and delivery assets as well as rail wagons to Linfox.
Linfox is developing a new multi-user facility at Camden Road in Willawong, Brisbane. Due to open in August 2020, the 30,000-square-metre intermodal facility offers high-security warehousing capabilities, five temperature-controlled zones, fleet workshop, fuelling station and truck wash.
