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

Pacific, Atlantic Coast Ports Post Strong Volumes in February

Another month, another all-time monthly record at the Port of Los Angeles, the nation’s busiest port facility.

Dan Ronan | Senior Reporter
March 24, 2022
Government, Business

US Initial Jobless Claims Decline to Lowest Since 1969

Applications for U.S. state unemployment insurance fell last week to the lowest since 1969 as demand for labor far exceeds supply and rampant inflation keeps the incentive to work high.

Emma Kinery | Bloomberg News
March 24, 2022
Government, Business, Fuel

Trucking Sees Little Benefit to Diesel Tax Relief Plans

A move by states to soothe the sting of soaring fuel prices by temporarily suspending diesel fuel taxes has some unlikely opponents: truckers, the very people it’s supposed to help.

Keith Laing | Bloomberg News
March 24, 2022
Government, Business, Fuel

States Seek to Ease Inflation Burden With Direct Payments

PORTLAND, Maine — With inflation raging and state coffers flush with cash, governors and lawmakers across the U.S. are considering a relatively simple solution to help ease the pain people are feeling at the gas pump and grocery store — sending money.

Patrick Whittle | Associated Press
March 24, 2022
Business

Rail Unions Turn to Arbitration in Dispute Over BNSF Rules

OMAHA, Neb. — BNSF’s two largest unions will ask an arbitrator to throw out the railroad’s strict new attendance policy instead of appealing a court order preventing them from striking.

Josh Funk | Associated Press
March 24, 2022
Business, Technology, Equipment, Fuel

Newsom Offers California Car Owners $400 Rebates, Partial Gas Tax Pause

California Gov. Gavin Newsom would send car owners $400 debit cards and partially pause gasoline taxes to address high gas prices, he said March 23.

Laura Mahoney | Bloomberg News
March 24, 2022
Government, Business, Technology, Equipment, Logistics

Lockdowns Hinder Operations at Key Chinese Ports

Congestion in the key Chinese ports of Shenzhen and Hong Kong due to COVID-19 lockdowns has risen to the highest level in five months, posing possible delays to goods heading to the U.S. this summer.

Ann Koh and Kevin Varley | Bloomberg News
March 24, 2022
Government, Business, Technology, Safety, Autonomous

Sen. Thune Again Highlights AV Bill’s Safety Benefits

The nationwide adoption of autonomous vehicle technology would potentially improve safety and connectivity for the commuter and commercial transportation sectors, a key proponent of the technology in the U.S. Senate said at a hearing on March 23.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
March 23, 2022
Government, Business, Fuel, TCA

Connecticut House Cuts Gas Tax, Offers Other Relief

With the state budget surplus hitting record-breaking levels, Connecticut legislators voted unanimously March 23 to cut gasoline taxes — and talked about reducing more taxes in the future.

Christopher Keating | The Hartford (Conn.) Courant
March 23, 2022
Government, Business, Technology

Stakeholders Urge Congress to Pass CHIPS Act

The chief executives of some of the largest U.S. chip manufacturing companies urged Congress to pass legislation that includes $52 billion in incentives for their industry, calling it “essential” to maintaining competitiveness with China and other countries.

Daniel Flatley | Bloomberg News
March 23, 2022