Following extensive development, testing, and outreach with the drayage community, GCT Bayonne will roll out a Truck Management System (“appointment system”) on a limited basis on Sunday, January 15, 2017. This is a major milestone for the Port of New York and New Jersey.
All transactions at GCT Bayonne between the hours of 0600 and 0800 starting on Sunday, January 15th and every day thereafter will be mandated to have a reservation. Between the hours of 0800 and 1600 daily, there will be open access for all motor carriers (no reservations required).
As all users become acclimated to the system and the demand for reservations grows, GCT will expand the window for appointments. For example, the next logical period would be to require reservations from 0600-1000, then from 0600-1200, and so on.
The reservation system, which can be accessed by registered users at www.porttruckpass.com, fulfills a pivotal Tier One Recommendation of the Port of New York and New Jersey’s Port Performance Task Force.
The Truck Management System, which has been jointly funded and developed by Sustainable Terminal Services, Inc., a consortium of the port’s six marine terminal operators, aims to meter truck arrival rates while keeping resources for all stakeholders operating at maximum levels, decreasing truck turn times, and adding a level of consistency for each trip.
Positive results are already being realized. During one of the most recent test periods, a 38% lower turn time was experienced over transactions that occurred after the test period that same day.
The new system covers all types of transactions (import, export, empty, reefer), and each driver’s appointment will be specific to the transaction(s) he/she would like to make. This feature makes the system unlike its counterparts deployed elsewhere around the globe, and is expected to bring about greater efficiencies.
Reservation windows run for a full hour with a half hour grace period on either end. For example, an appointment to pick up container 00LU123456 scheduled from 0700 – 0800 would allow the trucker to arrive between 0630 – 0830. Since truck traffic will be metered into the terminal, the system is expected to accommodate single moves in 45 minutes and a double move within one hour. Reservations can be cancelled at any time, and modifications can only be made during the reservations window, which is currently Monday thru Friday 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Drivers’ reservations will be activated when they arrive at GCT Bayonne via a read of their truck’s license plate, which is linked to the RFID tag. If the truck does not have a valid reservation or the license plate/RFID association is invalid, the trucks will be directed out at the security checkpoint.
GCT Bayonne is the first of the Port of New York and New Jersey’s six constituent marine terminals to implement the Truck Management System. Other terminals are expected to online the TMS in the future.
The new appointment system should also improve productivity and terminal capacity, reduce the number of trouble tickets/transactions, and decrease emissions.
Customer Service is available to support any application issues such as a trucker’s registration by calling 1-866-758-3838.
GCT has also established its own Customer Support Desk to handle individual reservation or transaction specific questions, which is available via 201-706-4242 or [email protected].
A series of You Tube videos with instructions on how to make appointments for each type of transaction (i.e. MT in/Import Out, Export In/MT Out, etc.) as well as FAQ’s and a comprehensive users guide is available on the PortTruckPass portal, at GCT’s website, and at https://vimeopro.com/gct1/gct-bayonne-tms.
Truckers without appointments must not arrive (and no queuing will be allowed) before 7:45 AM daily.
Truckers are reminded to obey all traffic laws including compliance with “No Parking” and “No Standing” requirements in the areas near the terminal.