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.
Michigan Voters Reject Transportation Funding Plan That Would Have Raised Sales Tax
Michigan voters have overwhelmingly rejected a ballot measure that would have raised the state sales tax from 6% to 7% as the key element in a sweeping transportation funding plan now dead.
T. Boone Pickens: Natural Gas Remains a Viable Option as Transportation Fuel
DALLAS — Oklahoma oil man and natural-gas supporter T. Boone Pickens on May 5 joined the chorus of optimistic voices speaking here at the 2015 ACT Expo that despite current cheap diesel prices, the future of natural gas as a transportation fuel hasn’t dimmed.
Cummins Westport Unveils 6.7-liter Natural-Gas Engine
DALLAS — Cummins Westport Inc., the joint venture between Cummins Inc. and Westport innovations that makes natural-gas engines, unveiled a new 6.7-liter nat-gas engine that will be in full production next year.
Group Fighting Sex Trafficking Relies on Truckers as Watchdogs
DALLAS — A nonprofit group fighting sex trafficking on the nation's highways issued an appeal that truckers and shippers train their employees to report suspicious activities.
Cummins to Invest in Agility to Boost Natural-Gas Use
DALLAS — Engine maker Cummins Inc. will invest in Agility Fuel Systems, which makes natural-gas fuel storage and delivery systems for heavy-duty trucks and buses, to boost use of the alternative fuel.
UPS to Buy Renewable Natural Gas at Three Calif. Clean Energy Stations
DALLAS — UPS Inc. has entered into an agreement to buy renewable natural gas from Clean Energy Fuels Corp. at three California locations.
Truck/Rail Freight Rises 2% in 1Q, IANA Report Says
The Intermodal Association of North America pegged first-quarter truck/rail shipment growth at 2%, which was achieved despite a drop in international cargo due to West Coast port delays.
May 5, 2015Penske Announces Nat-Gas Grants From Texas, DOE
DALLAS — Penske Truck Leasing announced two grants under which it will receive $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy and state of Texas to boost alternative natural-gas use in its fleet.
Commissioner Says NG, Stations, Vehicles Surging in Popularity in Texas
DALLAS — Natural-gas motor fuels, filling stations and vehicles are surging in Texas, said an official responsible for regulation of the oil and gas industry in the state.
Technology Adoption Boosts Fleets’ Efficiency to 7 MPG, NACFE Says
DALLAS — Use of a variety of technologies to boost fleets’ fuel efficiency helped increase mileage for 14 major nationwide carriers to 7 mpg last year, well over the national average, according to the North American Council for Freight Efficiency.