Government

About Government News...

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.

Business, Government, Safety

Navistar Says 2010 Models Up $6,000-$8,000

Navistar Inc.’s 2010-compliant engines will sell for $6,000 to $8,000 more than its previous generation of engines, the company said last week.

August 3, 2009
Business, Safety, Government

June Truck Tonnage Drops 13.6%

American Trucking Associations’ tonnage index declined 13.6% in June from year-ago levels, the biggest such decline since early 1996.

August 3, 2009
Business, Government, Safety, Technology

Proposal to Reclassify Equipment Leases Seen as Tough Burden on Small Businesses

Finance and leasing industry officials said a proposal to reclassify equipment leases as a form of debt or asset, rather than an expense, would be difficult and costly for most companies to comply with.

August 3, 2009
Business, Government

Congress Reaches Late Deal on Highway Trust Fund Fix

The House moved quickly last week to shift $7 billion to the nearly depleted Highway Trust Fund, and the Senate followed suit, although Senate leaders continued to advocate for extending current highway legislation for 18 months.

August 3, 2009
Business, Government, Safety

U.S. Moves Toward Stiffer Rules to Curb Oil-Market Speculators

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission last week began laying the groundwork for a stronger regulatory hand over oil traders and investors, with a series of hearings and a report on trading patterns that could lead to limits on some purchases of futures contracts.

August 3, 2009
Business, Fuel, Government

Diesel Rises 3.2¢ to $2.528

The U.S. average retail diesel price rose 3.2 cents a gallon last week to $2.528, the first increase in five weeks, the Department of Energy reported.

August 3, 2009
Business, Safety, Government

Intermodal, Rail Traffic Drop for Week

Intermodal rail traffic in the United States fell 17.9% last week compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads said.

July 31, 2009
Business, Safety, Government

P.A.M. Reports $2.4 Million Second-Quarter Loss

Truckload carrier P.A.M. Transportation Services reported a second-quarter loss of $2.4 million, or 25 cents per share, compared with a loss of $1.3 million, or 14 cents, a year ago.

July 31, 2009
Business, Government

Second-Quarter GDP Contracts 1%

The U.S. economy contracted at an annual rate of 1% in the second quarter after the worst contraction in 27 years, the Commerce Department said Friday.

July 31, 2009
Business, Government

YRC Reports $255 Million 2Q Loss

YRC Worldwide lost $255 million, or $3.53 a share, from operations in the second quarter of 2009, down sharply from a year-ago profit of $35.8 million, or 62 cents, 39 cents of which came from a curtailment gain related to pensions.

July 31, 2009