Marketing – Forms of transport H

I, MY hard-working students. We are really progressing with marketing, so much so that you will be pleased to know that after this lesson, there is just one more lesson on marketing. I hope you will enjoy this lesson.

FORMS OF TRANSPORT

Transportation is that productive service which deals with movement of commodities (indirect service) and people (direct service) from one geographical location to another. It can also be described as a means of contact between two or more points by providing a service.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPORTATION

Transport is a form of communication – a means of contact between two distant points, e.g., manufacturer and wholesaler.

Without transport, most commercial activities would be impossible. Transport carries raw materials from where they are found, and food from where it is grown, to the factory. It then carries the manufactured goods from the factory to the shops, where consumers are able to buy them. It is, therefore, an important aspect of distribution.

An efficient transport system reduces the amount of capital tied up in stocks, because new supplies can be obtained quickly.

It makes local, regional and international trade possible. An example of international trade is bananas being sent from the Caribbean to the European market.

Goods are able to reach the right place at the right time and in the right condition.

It takes people to and from their place of work.

It is important in tourism since it takes people to and from places of attraction.

It provides employment in the form of drivers and sidemen, etc.

METHODS/TYPES OF TRANSPORT (METHODS OF CARRIAGE)

Land, air and water.

(A) LAND 1. ROAD TRANSPORT

This is the most important form of land transport in the Caribbean. It is used by buses, trucks, taxis, cars, bicycles, etc. In the Caribbean, road transport is fairly well developed, especially within cities and towns.

ADVANTAGES

Very flexible, in that road vehicles can go almost anywhere and carry almost any type of load. Quicker for short journeys. Door-to-door service can be provided. It is reliable as goods are under the control of a van or truck driver, until delivered to the buyer. Relatively cheap over short distances. Relatively safe for goods, since there is little handling and stealing is, therefore, cut down.

Provides tourist with more opportunity for sightseeing.

Can reach places that cannot be reached by other forms of transport.

Suitable for speedy, direct delivery of perishable goods.

Other forms of transport rely on road transport to connect with terminals such as airports, train stations and docks.

It is less tied to a rigid timetable than railways.

DISADVANTAGES

Creates traffic congestion and causes traffic accidents.

Pollution of air from vehicles in traffic congestions.

Expensive to operate in large, congested cities.

Affected by adverse weather conditions.

Loads are limited in size and weight.

Some roads are unsuitable for large vehicles.

Slower than railway over long distances.

Tax on vehicles, insurance and fuel costs must be incorporated into production costs, which are sometimes passed on to the consumer.

2. RAIL TRANSPORT

Rail transport has never been very important in the Caribbean. The use of rail for transporting people has actually declined in popularity in the region. In Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Guyana, the railway system for carrying passengers has been closed down because it is losing too much money. In industrialized countries where people sometimes travel hundreds of miles daily to and from work, the rail system is still very important.

There are no subways, super express trains or mass public railways in the Caribbean because, apart from Guyana and Belize, we do not have great distances to cover. In some islands, however, railways are used for sightseeing by tourists, e.g., the Appleton Express. A common use of railroads in our region is to transport raw materials such as bauxite from the point of extraction to the point of refinement, manufacture or export, e.g., bauxite for export.

ADVANTAGES

More comfortable and easier for passenger travel than road transport. Faster than road on long distances. Less labour-intensive than road transport. Especially suited for containers. More economical in fuel use than road transport. Cheaper for consumers. Schedules reliable (in some countries).

DISADVANTAGES

Routes are determined by railway lines and stations and this limits where the train can go.

Equipment and maintenance costs are very high.

Relies on road transport for transshipments.

Less economical than road movement for short journeys.

3. PIPELINES

These allow the transport of commodities without using a vehicle. Gas, oil and water may be transported. These can be carried in large, regular quantities over a fixed route. Trinidad and Tobago, especially, find the need for extensive use of pipelines (oil).

ADVANTAGES

Cheaper for consumers. Cheaper for transporting oil, water and gas.

DISADVANTAGES

Pipes are expensive to lay down and maintain. Broken lines can lead to leakages and waste of resources. Inflexible - pipelines are not easily moved.

In next week’s lesson, we will discuss air and water transport. The following week, you will be tested on marketing, so begin your revision early. Bye-bye for now.