So just what is the advantage to joining SpeedLink?  You might also ask "Why do I need to pay a fee?"  Well, there are many advantages to joining forces with SpeedLink:

1 - You don't have to bid for work in order to get on the road.  At the leading exchange you will need to pay upwards of £400 a year for simply the opportunity to bid on work - but there certainly is no guarantee that you will receive work.  It's simply a way of offering your services.  With SpeedLink, you'll know in advance what you'll earn per loaded mile and when we call on you for a job - IT'S YOURS if you're available.

2 - No paperwork or invoicing to do everyday.  SpeedLink relies on its own dispatch and control system which invoices the client direct.  You only need to invoice SpeedLink monthly according to the earning statement forwarded to you.  We then pay direct to your account by BACS.

3 - Nationwide Coverage.  SpeedLink works across the whole of the UK including Northern Ireland.  That means you'll be able to take advantage of work on a national level - not just a share of a limited supply of work in a small, localized area.

4 - European work?  If European work is what you want, you'll feel at home at SpeedLink.  SpeedLink averages 4 to 5 jobs to the continent every week.  We also source work on the continent coming back to the UK.

5 - Flexibility.  If you're not available to do a job SpeedLink has for you - it's not a problem.  We try to be as flexible as possible and we can always source an alternative if we need to.  Turning down a job does not affect your status with SpeedLink.

6 - One Fee to Pay - For Life.  That's right.  Our registration / enrolment fee is a one time fee.  With others systems out there, you'll have to pay up to £400 or £500 a year to be a member.  At SpeedLink, there is only a modest renewal fee annually to cover the cost of PDA software licensing.  (Currently £49)

As a progressive company, we believe in giving our people the tools they need to be able to complete the job they do.  So, SpeedLink is supplying all that you need to launch your new career.  You will receive: 

• Initial training
• Operations manual
• Advertising and marketing backup in your area
• Billing and invoice processing
• Credit card payment facilities
• Electronic dispatch software
• Company photographic I.D.

Operationally, SpeedLink will implement and handle: 

• Advertising and marketing in each market - Print / Mail / Online, incl. Yell.com & Google Maps
• Sales and dispatching by our dispatch and control centre in the South East
• Customer invoicing on a daily basis, with credit card payments processed daily
• All receivables including bad debt collection
• Commission processing with monthly pay

Additional benefits include: 

• Fleet Management - optimizing vehicle utilization
• Traffic Management - minimizing journey times by avoiding congestion
• Paperless cab - Electronic notification of jobs
• Protection from bad debt
• Minimizing empty returns
• Steady income stream with payments paid directly into your bank account

SpeedLink wants to make it as easy as possible for you to register.  All you really need is a suitable vehicle and a PDA or Smart Phone.  That's it!  OK, there are a few specifications: 

• 05 Reg. vehicle or newer, fuel and insurance
• Windows Mobile powered PDA with integral GPS  Go to Windows Mobile for more information on handsets.

The following are optional, but drivers will receive higher commissions if they also supply:

• A sign written vehicle (to SpeedLink's specification.)

We are confident that each and every owner / driver that joins the SpeedLink network will see an excellent return on their investment.  Drivers of all types of vehicles can earn in excess of £200 in a day or even up to £40 in an hour.  But this is a base only.  Enterprising individuals may even want to consider adding additional drivers and vehicles of their own - becoming a business within a business and therefore increasing their earning potential.

SpeedLink pay is simple and straightforward.  SpeedLink pays per loaded mile.  The mileage is calculated from the collection point to the delivery point.  Simply multiply that by the pre-agreed rate for the size of vehicle you are operating and that is what you will be paid. Obviously, tolls, ferry and channel crossings, waiting time and other charges are in addition to your rate per mile where applicable.

Rates of pay per loaded mile are:

Motorcycles	50 ppm
Cars	50 ppm
Small Vans	55 ppm
Midi, SWB Vans	60 ppm	Must have a minimum of 2m load length, 1.50m height, 1000kgs capacity
MWB Vans	65 ppm	Must have a minimum of 3m load length, 1.85m height, 1500kgs capacity
LWB Vans	68 ppm	Must have a minimum of 4m load length, 1.85m height, 1500kgs capacity
Luton Box Vans	85 ppm

Joining SpeedLink is simple.  You can register by post or telephone.  The registration fee of £149 is payable per driver.  For example, if there are two of you running a single vehicle, 2 registrations must be completed.  If you are enrolling just yourself, and you have two different vehicles - you only need to register yourself as a single user, etc, etc.

Register by phone - please call 0844 736 2805 - then select Option 5

Not ready to sign-up yet?  Would you prefer to receive and Information Pack?  If so, please request one by clicking on InfoPack

For full details on our Freelance Terms & Conditions, please see Terms

Some of the basic Terms are: 

• The registration fee is a one-time, non refundable fee
• There is a small annual renewal fee - currently £49
• SpeedLink agrees to supply you with as much work as we can *
• You have the option to decline work without affecting your membership status
• SpeedLink will supply the software needed to operate your PDA in our dispatch system
• SpeedLink will bill clients direct, eliminating the need for you to handle payments
• You will be expected to meet SpeedLink operating deadlines within reason
• You also agree not to solicit any SpeedLink client, past or present
• Trans-shipping, or handing shipments off to an unknown party is strictly forbidden

* SpeedLink unfortunately cannot guarantee the level of work you will receive.  Results and workload will vary by location and time of year.  It is also affected by how available you make yourself and how active you are at notifying SpeedLink of your availability through the Post Empty facility and/or use of your PDA whilst out of your home area.

If you believe that you have what it takes to succeed in the courier and transport sector, have a desire to work for yourself, and would like the opportunity to do something different, why not give SpeedLink a try?