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.
Gasoline Rises to $3.59 a Gallon, Lundberg Says
Gasoline rose less than a penny in the past two weeks to $3.59 a gallon, according to the latest Lundberg Survey of filling stations released Sunday.
July 15, 2013June Truck Orders Up 13% But Are Lowest This Year
Truck manufacturers received 18,900 net orders for Class 8 trucks in June, the lowest monthly total so far this year but still 13% above the year-ago level, ACT Research reported.
July 15, 2013Alabama Diesel Tax Unfair to Railroads, Federal Appeals Court Declares
A federal appeals court has ruled that Alabama discriminates against railroads because it makes them pay a sales tax on diesel fuel that truckers and other freight haulers do not have to pay.
July 15, 2013Fleets Likely to Report Small 2Q Gains Despite Sluggish Economic Growth
Second-quarter profits will show only limited improvement for publicly traded fleets, due to lackluster freight volumes in a slow-growing economy, according to analyst estimates and reports.
July 15, 2013Shippers Seek Nat-Gas Fleets to Boost Environmental Image
Some of the nation’s largest shippers said they are shopping for carriers to haul freight using natural gas-powered trucks, a trend that could spur further use of the alternative fuel.
July 15, 2013FMCSA Lifts HOS Rest Rule For Drivers Hauling Animals
Federal regulators last week waived the rest-break provision of the new hours-of-service rule for truck drivers carrying live animals and also plan to change their guidance on what counts as “off-duty time.”
July 15, 2013U.S., Canada Truckers Eye Cabotage Change to Liberalize Movement of Empty Trailers
U.S. and Canadian trucking officials said an agreement allowing truckers to move empty trailers within the other country could result from their governments’ efforts to improve cross-border trade.
July 15, 2013Editorial: Taxation Fairness
Fairness is a bedrock requirement for a just taxation system. And fairness is surely what state officials in Alabama had in mind some years ago when they imposed a 4% sales tax on diesel fuel purchases by railroads.
July 15, 2013Opinion: Trucking Remains a Force for Change
The trucking industry is one of the most innovative and dynamic sectors in our country, and its companies and professionals have been leaders for change in many areas.
July 15, 2013Driver Turnover Increases
Driver turnover is rising again after a brief respite during 2012 and is poised to increase even more later this year, American Trucking Associations said last week.
July 15, 2013