I was partner carrier with Bolt. Many of my business associates and friends have been lease O/O's or fleet drivers for Bolt Express.
As a former moderator for Expediters Online I began to recieve many emails regarding the business practices at Bolt Express. I told them that I would investigate their claims and post any information (positive or negative) regarding the company.
After sorting through the emails and speaking with numerous folks who had dealings with Bolt Express and I was quite dismayed with my findings.
1. They advertised that they paid 65% of loaded rate. A closer look at their lease contract indicated it was 65% of 95%. Drivers said they hurried through the contract at orientation with the typical comments such as, "just sign here and here and initial here and you can read through it later on."
2. They told drivers that if they accepted every load and delivered on time for 3 months that they would get a bonus. When the drivers asked for their money, they were told the contract had been admended.
3. Prior to attending orientation one O/O asked if he would be allowed to retain his LLC graphics on his truck doors. He was told that it would not be a problem. After class he went out to view his truck, he was shocked to see that Bolt Express had removed his personal graphics. They never reimbursed him the $250 he paid to have those graphics applied to his truck.
4. Bolt Express has one of the highest turn-over rates in the industry. That should send a signal to anyone considering doing business with them. When the majority of carriers have a freeze on bringing new trucks into their fleets, Bolt Express continues take on new trucks. And it is not because they have more freight than other carriers.
5. Bolt Express exsists because Tri State decided to stop hauling automotive frieght. Considering the current state of the auto industry it is just another reason to forget about doing business with Bolt Express.
6. I know of one cargo van driver that was involved in a fatal accident. I am surprised that the DOT did not investigate the QC information regarding the driving time of this O/O. Although trucks under 10,001 lbs GVWR are not subject to maintaining a logbook reflecting HOS, they are subject to "Reckless Operation" laws. Allowing a cargo van operator to drive for 11 hours without an 8 hour break is simply dangerous. I know of O/O's who brag about driving 20 hours straight.
7. As for me personally, when I posted the results of my investigation on Expediter's Online, I thought I was doing the right thing in hopes that Bolt Express would investigate these issues and complaints. They responded with a phone call stating that they were cancelling my partner carrier agreement for statements that I made regarding their company. Basically, they have no intentions of addressing the truth surrounding the way they conduct their business after being presented with a plethora of factual information.
0 comments