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.
Senators Introduce Latest STB Reauthorization Bid
Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) have introduced the latest legislative effort to make changes in the powers and structure of the Surface Transportation Board.
March 20, 2015Joachim Drees, Former Daimler Executive, to Lead MAN Truck and Bus Division
MAN SE appointed Joachim Drees to lead its truck and bus manufacturing unit, the first key personnel change since Andreas Renschler has started as head of commercial vehicles at parent company Volkswagen AG.
FMCSA Committee Takes Early Steps on Entry-Level Driver Training
WASHINGTON — Members of a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration committee took several limited steps toward creating a rule on training standards for entry-level truck drivers.
Volvo’s North American Deliveries Jump 32%
Volvo Group’s North American truck deliveries jumped 32% in February from the same month a year earlier, the company said.
Bills Introduced to Allow Hair Testing to Replace Urinalysis for Drug Use
Long-sought legislation among many in the trucking and safety communities to allow carriers to use hair testing in place of urinalysis to detect drug use in drivers was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate March 19.
Secretary Anthony Foxx, Rep. Bill Shuster: Gas Tax Increase Unlikely This Year
WASHINGTON — Two of the country’s top transportation leaders reaffirmed their opposition to raising fuel taxes to keep highway programs funded for several years, a setback for proponents of increasing the user fees, including trucking industry leaders.
Senators Seek Permitting Reforms For Rail Projects
Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) have introduced the Track, Railroad, and Infrastructure Network (TRAIN) Act, which they said would streamline the environmental permitting process for rail projects.
Replay: LiveOnWeb Spotlight on Driver Training
Driver Training was the focus of our March 18 LiveOnWeb, featuring special guests who are closely connected to FMCSA's effort to craft a rule on minimum training standards for entry level commercial vehicle drivers. Watch a replay of the program.
March 19, 2015Mitsui Buys 20% Stake in Penske Truck Leasing
Japan’s Mitsui & Co. has acquired a 20% stake in Penske Truck Leasing Co. from General Electric Capital Corp.
Trains Slow Petroleum Shipments After Derailment
Rail shipments of crude and refined products fell last week to the lowest level since October 2013 after a derailment shut a track in Illinois for four days.