Announcing Our New FaxBack System!

It took a little longer than expected, but you will now be able to call into our new FaxBack System and retrieve copies of your "proof of delivery" freight bills. The available data base covers freight bills from September 1, 1997 through current. The system works through a series of voice prompts that tell you how to retrieve your information and have it faxed. The phone number to access the FaxBack System is (562) 806-2188. The following logo and information is what the cover sheet of your return fax will look like.

L.A. Xpress understands that meeting our customer's needs is how "Quality" is defined. This new system will help us meet and exceed your needs. Please try our FaxBack System for a few days and let us know how it works for you. Feel free to contact your salesperson with any questions you may have. If your salesperson is not available, ask for customer service.

It is our goal to stay among the most innovative trucking companies in California, and thanks to the hard work and dedication of Rick Meyer, our V.P.-MIS, this new FaxBack System does just that. In the months to come we will be adding information to the FaxBack data base. This information is scheduled to include bills of lading, correspondence, etc.

Thank you for your continued support. All of us at L.A. Xpress look forward to serving your California transportation need for many years to come.

Gasoline Price Breakdown

Ever wonder why gas costs so much? Many factors influence the price of gasoline. The following figures are based on a gallon of California reformulated regular gasoline costing $1.38 per gallon at the pump, with crude oil costing $19.33 per barrel. Prices will vary depending on geographical location, competition among gas stations, local taxes, refiner and dealer margins, transportation costs, etc.

Crude Oil Cost- 46.0 cents, Refinery Margin- 35.8 cents, Federal Excise Tax -18.3 cents, State Excise Tax -18.0 cents, State & Local Sales Tax -10.2 cents, Dealer Margin- 9.7 cents.

These figures use 8% as an average for State and Local Tax. The Refinery Margin includes all costs associated with production and distribution of gasoline including refining and terminal operation, crude processing, oxygenate additives, product shipment and storage, oil spill prevention fees, depreciation, brand advertising and profits. As a final note, crude oil prices fluctuate daily causing a change of 2.4 cents per gallon in the crude cost for gasoline for every $1.00 per barrel change in crude oil cost.

From the California Energy web site, www.energy.ca.gov

L.A. Xpress Web Site
If it's been awhile since you checked out our web site, now is the time to do it. We just added a site map, updated information and a bunch of our favorite links. The address is www.la-xpress.com.

Facts about Trucking in California

1. Trucking employs over 930,000 people in California, one out of every 12 workers.
2. Trucking pays over $30 billion in annual salaries, an average of $32,874 per employee, which is over $3,000 more than the average wage in California.
3. Trucks move over 76% of California's commodities, 424 million tons annually.
4. Trucking supplies every community in California, over 75% of all communities rely solely on trucking to deliver their goods.
5. Truck operators pay $13 billion in California state and federal highway taxes and fees, which is a weekly tax bill of over $250 million.

Oregon State Police motorcycle troopers are all riding BMWs now. Never mind that they cost twice as much as the Kawasakis they replace.

Twelve BMWs were added this month to four purchased last year. This makes the state police motorcycle fleet all BMW. The BMWs cost $16,500 each, compared to $14,000 for Harley-Davidsons and about $7,500 for Kawasakis.

BMWs last twice as long as the other motorcycles, said Sgt. Bob Hansen of the Medford police. BMW is not a common police bike in this country. Kawasaki and Harley-Davidson split the bulk of the American police market. BMW accounts for 80% of police motorcycles in Europe.

South Gate Terminal Wins "Beautification Award"

The City of South Gate awarded it's "Commercial Beautification Award" to L.A. Xpress A&D, Inc. The award was presented to Michael Wichert, President, and Robert Bray, V.P./CFO at the November 11th City Council meeting.

L.A. Xpress was chosen to receive the award by the Beautification Committee, after they reviewed other business properties in the city.

If you haven't been by the South Gate terminal in awhile, I'm sure you will be surprised. We've torn out all the ivy in the front and put in new lawn, palms, plants and other landscape items. We invite you all to stop by for a cup of coffee and see what we've done to the terminal.

Customer Feedback

We have always believed that "Customer Driven" is the only way to run a trucking company. To help us better serve our customer needs, we ask for your help. Please contact Mike Wichert or Bob Bray at the South Gate office with any comments, questions, suggestions or ideas you may have that will improve our value and service.

There are several ways to contact us, our phone number is (562) 806-7333. Mike's extension is #28, Bob's is #27. We also have an E-Mail link from our web site that will go directly to our office. And, of course, we would appreciate any letters or faxes sent to us. The fax number is (562) 806-7343.

We look forward to hearing from all of you. The better the lines of communication, the better we will be able to provide you with the kind of "Quality Service" that you have come to expect from L.A. Xpress.