Government
Transport Topics government and regulatory coverage keeps managers of a highly-regulated industry aware of the policy decisions that can shape their businesses. Covering both the legislative and regulatory aspects of policy-making, at both the state and national levels, the news in this category includes looks at infrastructure, hours of service, emissions rules, funding measures, leadership appointments, and more. Readers can follow what’s happening in Congress, at the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, and in state and local governments.
Flying J, Pilot Merger Plan Faces Antitrust Review
After clearing its first legal hurdle in U.S. bankruptcy court, the proposed merger between truck stop operators Flying J Inc. and Pilot Travel Centers is about to undergo a federal antitrust review.
August 10, 2009States Pay for Transportation Costs with Newer Bonding, Loan Programs
Faced with capacity and maintenance limitations and inadequate revenues, states are taking advantage of newer bonding and federally guaranteed loan programs to help underwrite transportation costs, according to a new report.
August 10, 2009DOT Targets Distractions
WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood an-nounced last week he will take steps to try to further curb distracting driving activities such as text messaging or using a cell phone or a Global Positioning System device.
August 10, 2009Maersk Starts Chassis Fee at N.Y.-New Jersey Port
Maersk Line’s chassis rental fee went into effect at the Port of New York and New Jersey on Aug. 3, and although there were not any freight disruptions, the head of a trade group for drayage haulers said that the rollout could have gone smoother.
August 10, 2009PepsiCo to Repurchase Bottlers
Soft drink and snack food maker PepsiCo Inc. said it will reacquire two bottling companies it spun off 10 years ago, spending $7.8 billion in cash and stock to create the largest private fleet in the United States and Canada, in an effort to make its supply chains more efficient.
August 10, 2009ArvinMeritor Posts $162 Million Quarterly Loss
Manufacturer ArvinMeritor Inc. said it lost $162 million in the April-to-June quarter, while also announcing last week it has found a buyer for its light-vehicle wheels business and has stepped up its marketing effort for truck disc and drum brakes ahead of the government’s new truck stopping-distance rule.
August 10, 2009SCR Engines May Emit Toxins, CARB Staffer’s Letter Warns
The selective catalytic reduction process that most engine manufacturers will use to comply with 2010 federal diesel emission standards could emit toxic byproducts, the California Air Resources Board’s top researcher wrote in a recent letter filed in federal court by Navistar Inc.
August 10, 2009Senate Panel Approves Measure Boosting Truck Weights in Maine
Several measures affecting trucking advanced in Congress recently as a key Senate committee ap-proved a bill to allow trucks weighing more than the federal limit on Interstate 95 in Maine, and a bill providing tax incentives for idle-reducing units was introduced in the House of Representatives.
August 10, 2009Diesel, Gas Prices Rise Again
U.S. retail fuel prices continued to rise last week, as the average cost of a gallon of diesel climbed 2.2 cents to $2.55 a gallon, while gasoline jumped 5.4 cents to $2.557, the second straight week of increases, the Department of Energy reported.
August 10, 2009Opinion: Trucking and Lease Accounting Changes
The Financial Accounting Standards Board and its sister organization are working jointly on reviewing changes to the current U.S. Financial Accounting Standards 13 and International Accounting Standards 17 for leasing.
August 7, 2009