Tampa TA Opens

If you happen to be heading down Interstate 4 in Florida anytime soon, you'll notice a new sign and increased activity around Exit 10. The new Tampa TA (located a few miles east of the city) opened there July 30. And it offers the kinds of amenities drivers have come to expect from TravelCenters of America, says general manager Bobby Seale. "When you see the TA logo, you know you're going to find the best travel center facilities on the highway," he says.

What you'll find at the 18,000-square-foot, 100-parking-space location:

• A three-bay (pit-and-a-half) shop that includes a Freightliner ServicePointSM center and ExpressLane oil change service. There's also a CAT Scale and satellite diesel pumps. Shop manager Claude Bryant's service team provides roadside service within about a 50-mile radius.
• Two quick-service restaurants: Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits and Arby's. Managers Todd Coltharp (Popeyes) and Jesse Costillo (Arby's) open the doors daily at 7 a.m. Most Popeyes restaurants don't open until 10 a.m., making the Tampa restaurant unique. Though the Tampa TA doesn't feature a traditional sit-down restaurant, its quick-service restaurants offer both inside and outdoor dining, and inside tables are equipped with data ports and telephones.
• A full-service business center is available for those who prefer not to mix their e-mails and their meals. The Tampa TA offers a business center complete with phones and data ports, Internet kiosks and fax and copy machines. Says Seale, "The business services are now standard at TA locations, but the Tampa stop is one of the first to create an actual 'business center' around them."

Other standard TA amenities include a convenience store (managed by 17-year TA veteran Cathy Wallace), seven marble-tiled showers, a TV room and game room/lounge.

Seale, who has also been a manager at TAs in Madison, Ga., Commerce, Ga., Seymore, Ind., and Cartersville, Ga., believes his simple strategy for business success – "Hire good managers!" – is also the key to good customer service. "I've got great people working with me, and I think drivers who stop here really appreciate that."

Getting there: The Tampa TA is located at Exit 10 (Interstate 4) in Seffner, Fla., just east of Tampa. Popeyes and Arby's are open daily from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. The shop, convenience store and fuel desk are open 24 hours a day.

TA's New Kiosk Shower System a 'Clean' Hit

The members of the TA RoadKing Club™ have spoken – TA's new shower system is a runaway favorite. In just two months since the kiosk-based process was launched, almost 80% of all showers are reserved through the RoadMile Marker kiosks. The numbers took a big jump when cash acceptor devices were added to the kiosks so non-members could purchase showers there instead of at the fuel desk.

Most of the showers reserved at TA fuel desks now are for teams, and TA is working on a way to automate that, as well.

The new process saves drivers time – time they can use for other things like like eating, calling home and relaxing.

But don't take our word for it – Here are some driver comments we've received about the new system:

"All I have to do is use my RoadKing Club card and I don't wait in line for my showers anymore."

"The wait times for showers at TA have gone down since they put the new system in."

"I can swipe my card right at the shower door, and it lets me in. That's pretty convenient."

"Even when I don't have any credits left, I can put my money in the kiosk and get into the shower."

"I like the fact that I don't wait as long to take a shower at TA because I have a RoadKing Club card. It doesn't cost anything to join, and now it saves me time and money."

Truck Stops, Travel Centers Best Bets for a Place to Park

by Ed Kuhn, Chairman, President & CEO, TravelCenters of America

The subject of parking often comes up whenever I talk with our truck-driving customers. More precisely, the subject is usually "we need more places to park."

You're right – and now even the federal government agrees. It also turns out that truckstops and travel centers like TA will be your best bet to find parking for the foreseeable future – as well as all the other necessities of the road.

In July, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a report on the availability of truck parking (online at http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov). The FHWA surveyed 2,000 truck drivers, as well as operators of private and public travel centers, truck stops and public rest areas.

Along heavily traveled routes, the FHWA found that a shortage of parking spaces may exist in up to 12 states. Those are mainly in the Northeast and the Midwest and primarily on non-interstate roads. Eight other states have sufficient parking now but may see shortages in the near future as the number of trucks on the road grows.

Only about 10% of the spaces are available at rest areas – but about a quarter of the drivers said they look for those spots first. So it's not surprising that nearly half the drivers surveyed said parking is rarely or almost never available at rest areas. Most said they rarely have trouble finding parking at truck stops and travel centers.

Most of the drivers surveyed said they prefer truck stops and travel centers to rest areas when they're taking a break for more than two hours. For shorter breaks, many prefer rest areas, because they're convenient and easy to enter and exit.

In many states, however, that two-hour break is how long law enforcement will let you park before telling you to move on, even if you're out of hours. The report urged banning this practice so tired drivers can get the rest they need.

The demand for truck parking is expected to continue to grow. Where's it going to come from? Mostly from truck stops and travel centers, which are adding parking spots much faster than state rest areas are.

TA is committed to providing parking for our customers, whether you need just a short break or a long rest. For instance, we are working with NATSO (National Association of Truck Stop Operators) and state and federal agencies to determine how best to increase the number of parking spaces available.

Besides parking, we have all the other things you need but can't get at rest areas – meals in full-serve or quick-serve restaurants, convenience stores, repairs and maintenance, showers and laundries, clothing, electronics, phones, data ports, drivers' lounges, and fuel. And we're adding services – and parking spaces – every year.

I'd like to hear your thoughts about parking and any other aspect of our operations. Please write me at Road King, 3322 West End Ave., Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37203, or e-mail edkuhn@roadking.com. Until next time, truck safe.

Discounts on Motels Now Available to TA Customers

TravelCenters of America can now offer low-cost hotel accommodations by teaming up with eight national hotel brands. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, TA customers can call ahead to receive a 15% to 30% discount off the regular room rate at over 4,000 participating locations throughout North America (see details below). TA's hotel partners are:

• AmeriHost (800-996-2087) offers value-priced quality and comfort. Each property features large indoor pool areas with whirlpool and outdoor patio, complimentary extended continental breakfast, exercise room and in-room safe.
• Days Inn (800-268-2195) is the world's leader in quality hotel accommodations at affordable prices. Its properties are located near city centers, airports and beaches, as well as along major highways.
• Howard Johnson (800-769-0939) offers comfortable rooms and full-service amenities at a mid-market price. Knights Inn (800-682-1071) and Travelodge (800-545-5545) offer clean, comfortable accommodations with the same friendly service at a more budget-conscious price.
• Villager (888-821-5779) is for those who need extended stay lodgings. These hotels provide a wide range of amenities from mini-kitchenettes to full kitchen facilities, with a separate living and sleeping area.
• Ramada (800-462-8035) is geared to travelers who are looking for elegant, contemporary accommodations with both fine restaurants and swimming pools.
• Wingate Inn (877-202-8814) is designed for the business traveler. It combines both luxury and convenience at an unparalleled value. Each property features a fitness center, whirlpool, high-speed Internet access and free local and long-distance phone service.

To take advantage of the discounts available at over 4,000 participating hotels among these eight hotel brands, call the appropriate toll-free number and be sure to mention ID number 63416. Advance reservations are required and blackout dates may apply. Discounts cannot be used with other programs. Visit www.tatravelcenters.com for more details.