Business

The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits rose last week, maintaining a pattern of gains and losses around a decade low that signals firings remain muted.

Weekly U.S. intermodal rail traffic rose 2.1% from the same period last year, the Association of American Railroads reported.

In time for the holiday season, UPS is rolling out to 100 cities a program that requires people in some neighborhoods to fetch packages at nearby locations — such as a druggist or dry cleaner — if they weren’t home to meet a driver.

Navistar International Corp. and General Motors Co. have reached a long-term agreement to develop and manufacture Classes 4-5 medium-duty conventional trucks with a goal of starting sales in 2018.

Fontaine Trailer, a manufacturer of platform trailers, promoted Alan Briley to president of its commercial platform business.

The West Virginia Trucking Association indicated recently that the state’s coal, construction and freight industries will need more drivers. To address the industry’s demand, the association recently announced that a jobs website will launch in October.

Companies stepped up hiring in September, indicating the U.S. job market is standing firm in the face of weaker global demand, according to a private report based on payrolls.

Out-of-service rates for both trucks and buses and drivers dropped to historic lows for inspections conducted during Roadcheck 2015, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced Sept. 29.