Groups Sue to Block Mexican-Trucks Plan
Five groups filed suit Wednesday in attempt to block a Department of Transportation pilot program set to allow some Mexican trucks full access to U.S. roads.
The groups — including the Teamsters union, the Sierra Club and Public Citizen — sought an emergency stay until they get more assurances that the vehicles comply with U.S. environmental, security and safety regulations.
The suit was filed in San Francisco in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Under the one-year trial program, which could begin as soon as this weekend, trucks from up to 100 Mexican companies would be allowed access to U.S. roadways.
Under current rules, loads from Mexico must be transferred to U.S. trucks and drivers when the freight crosses the border, within a zone of about 25 miles.
The plan would save Mexican trucking companies time and money by moving shipments in the United States themselves, Bloomberg reported.
The House voted 411-3 in May DOT’s inspector general last week urged stricter oversight of the program.
“We are reviewing the [suit] . . . and will respond to the court shortly,” the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said in a statement. FMCSA is part of DOT.
“We believe this lawsuit is without merit and that our program will benefit consumers by reducing the costly practice of requiring all cross-border shipments to be hauled by three separate trucks operated by three different drivers and provide U.S. trucking companies the opportunity to expand their business into our third-largest trading partner,” FMSCA said.
