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.
Panel Approves Bill Extending Tax Credits for New Trucks, Alternative-Fuel Producers
A bill that would extend tax credits for carriers buying new trucks and to those who produce biodiesel or supply trucks with natural gas has been approved by the Senate Finance Committee.
April 14, 2014Analyst Says ELD Proposal to Spark Telematics Growth
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new proposal to require electronic logging devices will open the way for the truck telematics industry to expand rapidly, so long as it keeps moving forward without running into further roadblocks, an industry analyst said.
April 14, 2014Diesel Average Drops 1.6¢
The U.S. retail diesel average slipped 1.6 cents last week to $3.959 per gallon, extending its slide to four weeks, the Department of Energy said.
April 14, 2014Wil-Trans Buys Jim Palmer Trucking
Missouri carrier Wil-Trans has bought assets of refrigerated carrier Jim Palmer Trucking and plans to refurbish that company’s fleet with new trucks, the company said.
New Carrier Qualification Bill to be Introduced, TIA Says
TUCSON, Ariz — New legislation aimed at simplifying the carrier qualification process and reducing exposure in crash liability suits by creating a national hiring standard will be introduced in Congress later this month, according to Transportation Intermediaries Association President Robert Voltmann.
Louisville Teamsters Reject Side Deal to UPS Pact
Teamsters at UPS Inc.’s Louisville air hub rejected a side agreement proposal by a wide margin as roadblocks still remain to full implementation of the nation’s largest transport labor contract.
Consumer Sentiment Rises to Highest Level Since July
The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment climbed to 82.6 in April, the highest level since July, from a four-month low of 80 in March.
April 11, 2014Intermodal Rail Traffic Rises 12.6% For Week
U.S. rail intermodal traffic increased 12.6% in the week ended April 5 compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads reported.
April 11, 2014Wholesale Prices in Rise in March
Producer prices in the United States rose 0.5% in March, the biggest gain since June, the Labor Department reported April 11.
April 11, 2014Ryder Partners With Technology Firm to Create Fleet Maintenance Monitoring System
Ryder System Inc. said it has partnered with technology firm Decisiv to create a system to monitor maintenance for large and for-hire truck fleets.
April 11, 2014