Business

About Business News...

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.

Business

Gasoline Rises 2¢ to $3.344, Lundberg Survey Reports

Gasoline rose 2 cents in the past two weeks to $3.344 a gallon, according to the latest Lundberg survey of filling stations released Sunday.

January 28, 2013
Editorial, Business

Editorial: Funding UMTRI

The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute has its tin cup out and is in definite need of a few bucks. And we think it would be in trucking’s interest to make sure UMTRI finds the needed money — and quickly. 

January 28, 2013
Perspective, Business, Logistics

Opinion: Managing Paperless Documents

The case for going paperless is compelling, but how to get there is not evident. If you’re ready to eliminate the mounds of overwhelming paperwork in your office, you need to select a document-management solution.

January 28, 2013
Business

STB Approves Trucker-Run Chassis Pool to Replace Ocean Carriers’ Equipment

Drayage fleets have won regulatory approval to set up the first trucker-owned chassis pool for highway moves of intermodal cargo at a time when ocean carriers are moving away from their role of providing that equipment.

January 28, 2013
Business, Logistics

Intermodal Traffic Rises 1.5% in 4th Quarter Despite Labor Issues, Superstorm Sandy

Intermodal freight growth sagged in the fourth quarter due to disruptions from Superstorm Sandy and labor unrest at ports, industry officials said.

January 28, 2013
Business

Profits Rise at Four Truckload Fleets, Despite Fuel Costs, Flat Economy

Four of the largest publicly traded truckload carriers in North America posted higher earnings in the final three months of 2012, despite higher fuel prices and an uncertain economic environment.

January 28, 2013
Business

December Truck Tonnage Tops 2012

Truck tonnage fell 2.3% in December from an all-time high the same month a year ago, but freight levels were strong enough to offer at least some short-term market optimism, American Trucking Associations reported.

January 28, 2013
Business

State Officials Rethinking Funding Decisions as Highway Law Requires Risk-Based Plans

WASHINGTON — Employees from nearly every state’s department of transportation came together with federal officials here to set a course for future transportation funding decisions.

January 28, 2013
Business

Positive Drug Test Levels Drop Among Truckers, DOT Reports

The percentage of truck drivers testing positive on random drug tests during 2011 dropped to the lowest level since mandatory testing began almost two decades ago, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

January 28, 2013
Business, Fuel

Nat Gas in as Transport Fuel, But Growth Rate Uncertain

HOUSTON — Natural gas is here to stay as a major transportation industry fuel, even as its growth path remains uncertain, according to several experts addressing a fuel conference here.

January 28, 2013