Compare
Own fleet vs market vehicles: where each one earns.
Most transporters run both. The question is not which is better, but which lanes and customers each should serve.
| Own fleet | Market vehicles | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost structure | Fixed: EMI, insurance, driver salary | Variable: hire per trip |
| Control | Full: driver, route, maintenance | Limited to the trip |
| Paperwork | Documents, maintenance, tyres, challans | Hire slips, vendor bills, TDS |
| Best for | Regular lanes with steady volume | Peaks, one-off lanes, return loads |
| Main risk | Idle trucks | Availability and reliability |
Managing a mixed fleet
- Measure margin per trip for both, after all costs.
- Keep own trucks on lanes with steady volume and good back-loads.
- Use market vehicles for peaks and one-way demand.
- Verify market vehicles before loading and handle TDS correctly.
SCM for Transporter runs own vehicles (fleet, tyres, workshop, driver hisab) and market vehicles (hire slips, vendor bills, payment indents) on the same trips and books. Try the trip profit calculator.
Questions
Is it cheaper to own trucks or hire them?
Owning is cheaper per trip on lanes with steady volume and back-loads; hiring is cheaper for peaks and irregular lanes. Measure margin per trip for both.
What paperwork do market vehicles need?
Hire slips, vendor bills, advances and balances, document checks and TDS handling under Section 194C.
See it on your own data. SCM for Transporter runs the bilty, e-way bill, trips, billing and accounts in one system. Book a 30-minute working session with an engineer.