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.
Manufacturing Expands at Slowest Pace Since May 2013
Factories expanded in March at the slowest pace since May 2013, a sign struggling overseas economies and cutbacks among oil producers are hindering U.S. manufacturing.
Amazon Tests Device That Facilitates On-Demand Delivery
In its quest to connect people and products faster than ever, Amazon.com Inc. is testing a service that lets customers instantly order household items such as laundry detergent and baby food — without touching a computer or smartphone.
April 1, 2015ADP Says Companies Added 189,000 Workers in March
Companies in the U.S. added fewer workers than forecast in March, keeping staffing levels in line with a recent slowdown in demand, according to a private report.
Knight Transportation
Phase 2 GHG Rule Delayed, EPA Says
The proposed Phase 2 greenhouse-gas emissions rule for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, originally planned for publication in March, has been delayed until June, the Environmental Protection Agency announced.
CBO: Freight Transportation by Truck Eight Times Higher Than Cost of Rail
The cost of transporting freight by truck is about eight times higher than by rail, the Congressional Budget Office determined in a working paper published March 30.
March 31, 2015Raven Transport Buys 115 Peterbilt LNG Trucks
Raven Transport is expanding its natural-gas fleet with 115 Peterbilt trucks fueled by liquefied natural gas, which it will use throughout the Southeast.
Toll Battles Mount as States Seek Cash for Ailing Roads
As U.S. states collect record tolls from drivers, political opposition to fee-based highways and bridges is threatening efforts to rebuild crumbling infrastructure.
Nafta Trade Declines in January, But Truck Freight Rises
U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico in January declined 1.2% to $89.2 billion from 2014, but freight carried by trucks increased 3.6% to $55.6 billion, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported March 31.
March 31, 2015Consumer Confidence Rises to Second-Highest Since 2007
Consumer confidence increased in March to the second-highest level since August 2007 as Americans grew more upbeat about the outlook for the labor market and incomes.
March 31, 2015