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January 21, 1999 9:27 AM, EST

Another truck company has followed the lead of U.S. Xpress Enterprise in offering a deal to help drivers buy trucks.

Roberson Transportation Cos. of Champaign, Ill., has entered into an agreement with Tractor-Trailer Services to provide truck sales and financing for drivers of PFT Roberson, a nationwide flatbed carrier and heavy-hauler, and CX Roberson, a medium-size dry van fleet.

The service will sell or lease 1995 through 1999 model Freightliner FLD120s and Century Class tractors at "fleet prices" to help drivers starting a career as owner-operators, company officials said.

TTS, based in Farmer City, Ill., is an affiliate of Roberson and is headed by Michael E. Maroney, a former regional marketing and sales manager for Norwest Bank.

Mr. Maroney said the company is working exclusively with tractor financing at Roberson, but may become a full-service transportation finance company.

U.S. Xpress of Chattanooga, Tenn., announced its program earlier this month.