Why did Schneider develop the Marion ramp service?

To provide clients with more intermodal capacity and better dependability. Our Marion service helps you avoid congestion in busy markets, delivering transit times that are one day faster than other Midwestern hubs. Our six-day-a-week ramp schedule delivers even more opportunities for capacity and flexibility in shipping.

What are the benefits?

• Capacity: Unprecedented capacity — up to 150 loads/day, each way.
• Service: By avoiding Chicago, you get better on-time service. A six-day ramp schedule adds better service to and from busy markets (Midwest to West Coast and back again).
• Reliability: Because we have a dedicated train, own the ramps and control the drayage, you have more door-to-door control of your shipping to give you better visibility.
  

What is the differentiated service?

Our dedicated train allows your shipment to avoid Chicago congestion, delivering transit times that are one day faster than Chicago to the West Coast, and, because your freight is always in Schneider’s hands, you get better visibility and control. Shorter drayage also means better on-time service.

What are the Marion hours of operation?

The Marion ramp will operate six days a week, 24 hours a day, with an 18:00 gate cutoff in Marion and Kansas City, with second-day morning 8 a.m. service. This gives you greater flexibility and more options for your supply chain.

What product will move over this ramp?

The primary service will be in container on flatcar (COFC) (80 percent of the volume). Trailer on flatcar (TOFC) will comprise 20 percent of the volume and primarily operate between Marion and Kansas City.

What is the dray radius that we will consider for this ramp?

125 miles from origin and dray ramps. Major cities included are: Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Tijuana, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Stockton, San Francisco, San Diego and Phoenix.

Does the dedicated train move all the way to California?

No. The dedicated service moves between Marion and Kansas City. We then utilize cross-town service in Kansas City to move loads to final destinations.

Is Schneider the only company riding the train?

Yes. Our competitive advantage is to retain exclusivity with the railroad on this service. This allows us to give you the best service possible.

Who are the underlying railroads supporting the service?

OH to KC = CSX and Kansas City Southern (KCS); KC to Southern California and Phoenix = Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF); and KC to Northern California = Union Pacific (UP). Working with these top rail companies helps us deliver better rail service to you.

What are the rail transits?

Refer to rail transit schedules for in-depth schedules, but generally speaking, to Southern California, transit times are one day faster than shipping through Chicago.