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

Leaner, Healthier ATA Continued Emergence From Recession, Federation’s Graves Says

With membership up, the grip of recession loosening and a healthier if leaner budget, American Trucking Associations ends 2011 reflective of the carriers that make up its ranks, ATA President Bill Graves said.

December 19, 2011
Business

Cross-Border Pilot Revived, But Few Haulers Participated

A protracted battle about international trade negotiations appears to have ended in 2011, and for the second time in recent years, the United States agreed to grant Mexican motor carriers the right to operate beyond the 25-mile border zone.

December 19, 2011
Business, Logistics

Intermodal Cargo Buoys Truck/Rail Freight Growth

Truck/rail freight’s steady growth trajectory continued in 2011, buoyed by domestic intermodal service that apparently continued to attract more over-the-road freight as truck capacity tightened.

December 19, 2011
Business

Bill Would Provide Federal Oversight of Toll Increases

Legislation introduced Friday in both houses of Congress would provide for federal oversight of bridge and tunnel tolls, allowing the U.S. Department of Transportation to determine whether proposed toll increases should be implemented.

Timothy Cama | Staff Reporter
December 19, 2011
Business, Technology

EOBR, HOS Issues Posed Big Challenges to Trucking Technology Service Providers

By far, the biggest issues telematics device makers faced in 2011 were the wrangling over a final rule on electronic onboard recorders and potential changes to hours of service.

December 19, 2011
Government, Business

Motor Carriers Spent the Year Arguing Against New HOS Rule

Motor carriers spent all of 2011 waiting for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to announce its latest hours-of-service rule.

December 19, 2011
Business

2011’s Surge in Freight Volume, Profits Had Trucking Outpacing U.S. Economy

Trucking continued to rebuild both freight volumes and profits in 2011 while the general U.S. economic growth crept forward at a slower pace.

December 19, 2011
Business, Fuel

Diesel Hit $4 a Gallon Multiple Times in 2011

U.S. diesel prices climbed in 2011 to an average of $3.84 per gallon as of Dec. 12, about 85 cents higher than last year, and topped the $4 mark in April, May and November.

December 19, 2011
Business, Logistics

DB Schenker Plans Deal With Estes

Logistics provider DB Schenker said it expects to improve its domestic capabilities through a “strategic relationship” with transportation company Estes Express Lines.

December 19, 2011
Business

All Truck Makers Offer Own Engines; 13-Liter Models Grow in Market Share

This year was the first in which all truck manufacturers had their “vertical integration” model up and running, offering trucks with their own engines — the same way cars are sold.

December 19, 2011