Company History

Jim Townsley, the founder of J-Line Transport Limited, began working in the trucking industry in 1959 at the age of 22 doing minor repairs to tractors and trailers for Dalewood Transport. Before long he was in the yard shunting trucks and trailers, and then out on the road as a highway driver traveling to Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie.

In 1961 he began working for Andrew's Motor Haulage as a tractor trailer driver running short hauls throughout the Niagara Peninsula, Toronto, and Oshawa areas.

In 1965 he bought his first truck, a 1953 Mack, and put it to work for Andrew's Motor Haulage. He continued working for them and upgrading his equipment until 1971. He bought a new 1972 Hayes truck and worked for a short period of time at Idlewood Trucking, Tallman Transport, and Laidlaw Transport. He then decided to go out on his own. He formed a company in the name of Diamond Leasing, bought more trucks, and worked for Kent Steel Products running from Algoma Steel, Sault Ste. Marie to Hamilton.

In 1979 the name "J-Line Properties Limited" was chosen and was used until PCV licenses were received under the name of J-Line Transport Limited in 1989 granting him authority for Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and 48 States.

Today, the company is running approximately 55 tractors and 75-80 trailers. It is situated along the QEW approximately half way between Hamilton and St. Catharines. It is a convenient location for Ontario/US freight movement, for pick-up and delivery in the Hamilton, Toronto and Niagara area, and for freight movement to Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The fleet includes flat decks, rack and tarps, B-trains, and vans.

Our terminal is situated on the 8 acre parcel of land with a 9,000 square foot building which houses the offices and the repair and maintenance facilities. There is also a reload and storage area for transferring freight.

Equipment is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure freight arrives safely at its destination. Road safety is promoted through driver training, videos and written material. The Traffic Department is operated by qualified personnel with many years of experience in this department. J-Line is committed to ensuring reliable transportation service to its customers.