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.
Letters: Highway Safety, Safety Concerns, Belt-Tightening, Offensive Analysis, Most Expensive Gas
There are some good safety points that should be considered, including a “graduated” commercial driver license, but it makes no sense for new CDL drivers to be transporting hazardous materials, oversize loads or double and triple trailers until they have accumulated 100,000 or more accident-free miles driving a commercial vehicle.
June 29, 2009Reauthorization’s Rocky Road
We need to be leery of the battle involving the Obama administration, the Senate and the House of Representatives over the direction of federal transportation policy out of concern that political bickering could delay necessary decisions and infrastructure projects.
June 29, 2009Drayage Truckers Worry About Procedures Required by Federal Chassis Regulations
Drayage truckers are struggling with complex record-keeping requirements in the new federal intermodal chassis maintenance rules that have begun to take effect, industry experts said.
June 29, 2009Republicans Criticize Early Vote on Cap-and-Trade Bill in House
House Democratic leaders said they hoped to pass a controversial cap-and-trade bill late last week, despite vocal protests by Republicans who said the complex legislation amounts to a large tax increase and needs more time for debate.
June 29, 2009YRC, Teamsters Set Talks on Cost-Cutting
YRC Worldwide Inc. and the Teamsters union planned to return to the bargaining table June 29 to pursue additional cost-cutting steps that would help the less-than-truckload carrier cope with current financial difficulties.
June 29, 2009Diesel Rises 4.4¢ to $2.616
The U.S. average diesel price rose 4.4 cents a gallon last week to $2.616, the seventh straight weekly increase that has pushed it up by 43.1 cents to the highest level in nearly eight months.
June 29, 2009Experts at Michigan Conference Urge Push for Longer, Heavier Trucks
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The U.S. trucking industry is falling behind its international counterparts in switching to higher-productivity vehicles
June 29, 2009Rebound in Trucking Company Share Prices May Be Fragile, Analysts Warn
Trucking stocks have rallied over the past four months despite the sour U.S. economic conditions, but the recent rise in shares is a fragile one, analysts warned.
June 29, 2009Maersk to Charge Lease Fee for Intermodal Chassis
The world’s largest ocean container shipping company, Maersk Line, said it will begin charging leasing fees to local truckers who use their intermodal chassis, which traditionally have been free.
June 29, 2009House Panel Leaders Resist Bid to Stall Highway Funding Bill
WASHINGTON — House transportation leaders appeared isolated last week, as several prominent senators endorsed a bid by the Obama administration to postpone working on a major surface transportation-funding bill until 2010.
June 29, 2009