CP Rail to offer grain logistics business

CALGARY (Oct. 30, 2000) — Canadian Pacific Railway last week launched “MaxTrax,” a logistics program designed to increase the efficiency of the Canadian export grain handling and transportation system.

The new program promises to streamline processes for ordering grain cars and will take effect Nov. 5.

MaxTrax provides a flexible range of service, price, and product options, with discounts of up to 35% off the rate that had applied under the former tariff and rate scale.

The program has three service options. ShuttleMax allows shippers to book CPR grain cars three to 12 months in advance, in 100-car blocks to be used in a continuous cycle. AdvanceMax allows shippers to gain commitment from CPR for empty grain cars two to eight weeks in advance, for multi-car blocks. ReadyMax is designed for grain car orders one week in advance of shipment date.

“The grain industry no longer agrees to continue with the ad hoc, voluntary grain car allocation process of the past,” said Ray Foot, assistant vice-president of grain at CPR. “Given the lack of consensus within the industry, CPR was required to institute an alternative order fulfillment process that allows grain shippers to place car orders.”