Due to relatively stable fuel prices over recent weeks, we have reduced our temporary fuel surcharge to $2.00 / invoice. We monitor gas prices daily - and hope to further reduce the charge.

Please contact your Sales Rep for more information.

Now is a great time to renew your contractual pricing and enjoy the superior QTS safety, reliability, and value for another year.

The coming weeks will be busy for QTS as we convert our operations to a new comprehensive software system. Please read about the details below. We would also like to thank you for your understanding regarding our nominal fuel surcharge - and we are pleased to announce that as gas prices have come down - so has the temporary charge.

Our customer service team and our drivers continue to earn your praise. Forgive us for taking a moment to share a few comments we have received in recent weeks.

We are growing. We are in the process of expanding our fleet by over 20% to support your needs - and hiring and training new driver team members. Thank you for your confidence in us.

Lastly, we are enhancing our driver safety program with new on-line refresh training, and a quick response program to immediately resolve issues. Safety is our number 1 priority.

Thank you for being our most important customer!

Over the next two weeks, 4 months of preparation will come to fruition, as QTS converts to a new software system. The system is installed locally for security, yet features remote access, including customer portals. Further, we are equipping our drivers with new smart phones allowing them to view transportation assignments (with directions and detailed notes), and respond immediately with status updates without a phone call or text message.

The system includes real time tracking of drivers and vehicles to provide constantly updated status information to our dispatchers (and customers). 

All data is protected and secured through multiple layers of security. This allows us to enter data single time, and recall it instantly - with prior notes, phone numbers, and special instructions - to speed the team through order entry. Data is entered, saved securely, and recalled at the touch of a button.

Data security is a priority for us. All data is stored locally, and only accessible by password, and a user by user definition of data access and privileges. Data is backed up and back-ups are password protected. Please call for information about our data security processes.

The new system will allow for faster data entry, faster customer response, less time on hold, and a better use of our vehicle capacity.

While we are excited with the change, we recognize the learning curve involved, and ask for your patience as we convert. 

Your patience will be rewarded and you will be very impressed with the increased level of service and performance we are able to deliver!

Recently, one of our newer drivers helped transport an elderly widow. After chatting with her during the drive, he dropped her off, took a few minutes to purchase some flowers and returned to give them to her. No reason - other than to brighten her day. Her smile and thank you was great to see.

That sensitivity and compassion extends to our customer service team, busy answering calls, and minimizing on-hold times...their job is to get the information, provide a confirmation, and move on. Yet we received two notes last week saying "please thank your staff for staying so consistently friendly and cheerful." "Thank you all for staying cool and calm - especially under pressure." Our customer service team is so good at what they do and so familiar with your needs that they often recognize a caller just by their voice alone. One customer mentioned that she "appreciates being recognized...and feels important...when we greet her by name."

We take many people to and from regular treatment visits, often for months at a time. The relationship between the driver and the passenger grows - and often extends to the family. That is why when we don't hear from a 'regular' we always follow-up - sharing the good news of a treatment successfully concluded, or perhaps sadly being notified of a passenger passing. The notes we receive from the families are much appreciated.

These may all be small things in the course of providing transport to hundreds of passengers a day, but they are big to us! And a big part of the QTS service promise.

A woman told the vet that something was wrong with her dog. He examined the animal and told her the dog was dead.

"I don't believe you", she said, "I'd like a second opinion"

The vet said that would be fine. He went into the other room and got a cat. He put the cat up on the table with the dog. The cat sniffed the dog and jumped down. The vet then got a black lab, put him on the table and the lab sniffed and jumped down.

The vet tells the lady again, "I'm sorry, but your dog is definitely dead. That will be $600 for the exam."

"$600 is ridiculous, what are the charges for?" she exclaimed.

"$600 is a bargain," the vet explained. "$50 for me and only $550 for the cat scan and lab work."

Thank you for reading the September issue of the Quality Times - the Quality Transport Service of Arizona monthly newsletter. Please let us know what you like, don't like, and what you would like to see more of.

Your feedback - and your continued business - is appreciated.