Introduction of Intermodal Terminal Reservation System (ITR)
Announcement Number: IM2019-143
Categories: Domestic Terminals,Domestic Service Lanes and Schedules,Domestic Rules and Provisions,Domestic New Products,Domestic Miscellaneous,Domestic Other Service Information,Domestic Mexico
Posted Date: July 2, 2019
Dear Premium Customers,
Since the mid-2000s, Union Pacific has utilized a Gate Reservation System (GRS) to manage ramp inventory at West Coast intermodal terminals. GRS allocates reservations to customers, creating connectivity to actual train capacity.
Union Pacific is updating the current reservation system to improve ease of use while also improving reservation utilization through technology and better processes. In August, Union Pacific will introduce a new Intermodal Terminal Reservation System (ITR) to replace GRS, allowing for better planning of drays and ingates. ITR will have an enhanced user interface and visible “choice-ology” for day-of-week capacity by service product, which will provide a more precise supply chain process when accessing Union Pacific intermodal terminals.
The following are key points regarding the ITR system:
· Enhanced User Interface – ITR will feature a refreshed, superior user interface with color-coded capacity by day of the week and mobile-friendly accessibility.
· Network Integration – ITR will replace GRS six intermodal terminals on the West Coast: East Los Angeles, LATC, City of Industry, Lathrop, Brooklyn, and TacSim. In the future, we will roll ITR out at additional domestic terminals to deliver a consistent experience across the Union Pacific network.
· Utilization Improvement and Accessorial Implementation – Because ITR will more closely tie customer reservations to train capacity and terminal fluidity, Union Pacific is implementing an accessorial fee for no show and canceled reservation requests.
o Lane specific reservations will be allowed up to 7 days in advance of cutoff.
o There is no accessorial fee for reservations canceled 24 hours or more prior to cutoff.
o A reservation canceled less than 24 hours prior to gate cutoff will be assessed a $25 fee.
o A reservation requested, unutilized, and not canceled, will be assessed a $50 fee. The no show fee applies to any reservations where the unit is not ingated by gate cutoff time.
· Reciprocity – To ensure a reciprocal system, Union Pacific will apply a $100 credit for each individual unit that ingates before cutoff and does not depart on its corresponding train. The application of this credit will be calculated and applied by lane.
o Each customer with intermodal reservation system activity will receive a monthly statement outlining the activity and cumulative balance due.
o Credits will be applied to fees accrued during the monthly billing period. Credits will not carryover to the following month, and will not be paid out.
· Master Intermodal Transportation Agreement (MITA) – MITA will be updated to reflect these fees and credits.
Union Pacific is committed to making the transition from GRS to ITR as seamless as possible while improving the experience for all customers utilizing our domestic intermodal terminals. ITR will be implemented on August 6, 2019 for gate cutoffs on August 12 and thereafter. All reservations for gate cutoffs prior to August 12 must be made in GRS. Implementation of accessorial fees and credits, as described above, will not begin until September 3, 2019.
The Union Pacific domestic intermodal sales team will be prepared to address your questions regarding ITR, and provide information regarding past system utilization and accessorial fees.
Meanwhile, please contact your Union Pacific representative if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Premium Marketing and Sales