Business
Transport Topics business coverage focuses on the financial, economic, and commercial aspects of the modern freight business. Looking at both the microeconomic and macroeconomic forces shaping bottom lines, the news in this category includes labor news, jobs reports, tonnage and sales indicators, operations analysis, money and banking, mergers, acquisitions, e-commerce, bankruptcy, insurance issues, and more.
Jobless Claims Decline to Lowest Level Since January 1973
U.S. filings for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week to the lowest level since January 1973, further evidence that the labor market remains tight, Labor Department figures showed March 29.
March 29, 2018Ryder Announces Truck Sharing Program to Begin Next Month
Ryder System Inc. said it began launching on April 1, in Atlanta, the first business-to-business platform where commercial motor vehicles can be shared when they are not being used by the company that owns the truck or trailer.
UPS Begins Regular Cargo Flights Out of San Bernardino Airport
UPS Inc. has started operating five cargo flights a week out of San Bernardino International Airport, officials announced March 26.
Port of Virginia Truckers Get a Chance to Unload on Board Members
Enough already. That seemed to be the rallying cry for some truckers who got the chance on March 27 to vent about port congestion directly to the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners.
WTO Chief Warns About First Signs of US-China Trade War
The head of the WTO warned about the first signs of a trade war involving the U.S. and China that could derail the global economy, as Europe kept alive a threat to join Beijing in pushing back against President Donald Trump.
ELDs Hot Topic at MATS as April Enforcement Nears
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The federal mandate of electronic logging devices has been in effect since late last year, but some truckers still had lingering questions about the finer points of regulation just days before the deadline for stricter enforcement.
ELD Mandate Law Enforcement Grace Period Is Over
The three-month law enforcement grace period for trucks to be equipped with electronic logging devices is over. As of April 1, drivers caught without ELDs are due to be placed out of service for 10 hours, and may have points added to their Compliance, Safety, Accountability program scores, or could even be assessed a civil fine.
Driver Pay, Bonuses Rise as Carriers Seek Scarce Truckers
Truck driver pay and compensation increased through 2017 and into the first quarter as carrier demand for qualified drivers to carry freight nationwide kept rising, according to two new reports.
Toyota Warns That Some Rivals Are Skipping Steps in Race to Autonomy
As the global auto industry vies to deploy driverless cars, some contenders may be cutting corners in a bid to get ahead, warned Jack Hollis, group vice president of U.S. sales for the Toyota brand.
ARTBA Asks DOT to Repeal Financing Rule for Patented Products
The American Road and Transportation Builders Association submitted a petition March 27 asking the U.S. Department of Transportation to repeal a rule regarding federal funding for patented safety products.