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, Logistics

CP Buys Midwest Railroad for $1.5 Billion

Canadian Pacific Railway said it has reached an agreement to acquire Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corp. for $1.48 billion.

September 5, 2007
Business, Logistics, Fuel, Government

Diesel Rises 3¢ to $2.893; Gas Jumps 4.7¢ to $2.796

The average national retail price of diesel climbed 3 cents to $2.893 a gallon, the Department of Energy said Tuesday.

September 5, 2007
Government, Business, Safety

FMCSA Submits Court-Ordered Guidelines for Driver Training

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has sent its court-ordered revision of new-driver training guidelines to the White House Office of Management and Budget, and trucking industry and safety officials said they hoped the agency would publish the new rule before the end of the year.

September 5, 2007
Business, Government, Safety, Equipment

Feds Propose Rail Brake Rule

Federal rail regulators are backing a technological change that will enable trains to stop more quickly while permitting them to travel longer distances between required brake tests, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

September 5, 2007
Business, Government, Technology, Equipment, Safety

Ryder to Manage China Operations for Italian Firm

An Italian manufacturer chose Ryder System to manage its supply chain operations in China, Ryder said late Tuesday.

September 5, 2007
Government, Business, Safety

Opinion: HOS’ Safety Benefits Hang in the Balance

A court decision vacating two aspects of the regulations that determine the work hours of professional truck drivers could erase a rule that contributed to a 4.7% decline in large-truck-related crash deaths in 2006 — unless cooler heads prevail.

September 5, 2007
Business, Safety, Government

Letters to the Editor: Hours of Service (Cont’d.)

On the front page of the July 30 issue of Transport Topics, there was an article titled, “NHTSA Revises ’06 Deaths Down to Lowest Total Since 2002.” On the same front page, there was another article titled, “Court Rejects HOS Rule.” Does anyone in the government read their own reports?

September 5, 2007
Business

Berkshire May Boost BNSF Stake to 25%

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett’s investment company, Berkshire Hathaway, may boost its freight rail line Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. to 25%, the Associated Press reported.

September 5, 2007
Business, Safety, Government

ISM Factory Index Drops for August

The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index declined last month, ISM said Tuesday.

September 4, 2007
Government, Business

Construction Spending Declines in July

Construction spending fell in July by the most since January, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

September 4, 2007