TravelCenters of America LLC is opening another style of truck stop. TA Express will be smaller in size, and will focus on fuel, food and merchandise. But tires and truck maintenance could become part of the mix in the future.
TravelCenters has opened the first four of its new TA Express locations:
US Hwy. 85 and SR 68 in Alexander, N.D.;
455 US 85 in Walsenburg, Colo.;
1041 North Colorado Avenue in Brush, Colo.; and
2222 US Hwy 6 in Grand Junction, Colo.
"TA has served the needs of professional drivers and motorists for nearly 50 years”, says Barry Richards, CEO and president of TravelCenters. “We’ve listened to our customers and have adapted our facilities to meet their needs, including their need to have our locations in some areas where you just cannot put a large format TA or Petro travel center. New distribution centers countrywide have changed freight patterns and call for additional fueling locations not restricted to interstates and 25 acre parcels.”
Modern Tire Dealer asked TravelCenters if tires or tire-related services would be available at the TA Express locations.
"At this point in time, truck maintenance services will be available if suitable land is available. So none of the first four TA Express locations presently have truck maintenance on premise."
TA Express travel centers will offer a majority of the fuel, merchandise, food and other services that drivers familiar with the TA and Petro brands have come to expect. For professional drivers, TA Express will help drivers fuel faster, fulfill basic travel needs and return to the road. Professional drivers are able to earn and redeem UltraONE loyalty points at TA Express sites.
TravelCenters says it plans to create a national network of TA Express stores on the country's interstates and heavily traveled highways. "Franchising TA Express units will be one avenue of growth," the company says.
For more information, visit www.ta-petro.com.
