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.
U.S. Fleet Execs See Growing Potential in Mexico
Despite recession-related declines in trade with the United States, Mexico’s potential as an economic power has shippers and fleet executives taking advantage of the emerging market there.
June 1, 2009LaHood Says Mexico Plan to Reach Congress Soon
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration plans to have a proposal for opening the U.S.-Mexico border to longhaul trucking ready when Congress returns from its Memorial Day recess, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, adding that he thought the plan could be implemented as soon as this summer.
June 1, 2009More Truck Mergers Seen as Carriers Seek Bargains
A wave of transportation mergers and acquisitions may be on the horizon, as the recession weeds out distressed companies and carriers shop for bargains to help them secure more freight, several industry watchers said.
June 1, 2009House Passes Bill Easing Union Organizing of FedEx Express’ Terminal Employees
Before Congress recessed for its Memorial Day break, the House of Representatives passed legislation that could make it easier for employees of FedEx Corp.’s express unit to unionize, and the House energy committee approved a bill that would set up a cap-and-trade program to limit output of greenhouse gases.
June 1, 2009Active Transportation Buys Fellow Auto Hauler
Active Transportation said it bought majority ownership in Jack Cooper Transport, a move that consolidates two car haulers at a time when auto industry sales are at the lowest level since 1981.
June 1, 2009Vehicle Registrations Fall 40% in 1Q From Year Earlier
Registrations of all new trucks in the United States totaled 79,800 in the first quarter — a drop of 40% from a year earlier — according to the latest survey by R.L. Polk & Co. The quarter included the worst-ever single month for heavy-duty registrations on record, the company said.
June 1, 2009Court Upholds Drug Test Rules Allowing ‘Direct Observation’
An appeals court has upheld federal rules requiring “direct observation” of drug tests for transportation workers who either have failed or refused to take a test as a condition of employment.
June 1, 2009Diesel Rises 4.3¢ to $2.274
Rising crude oil prices helped drive the average U.S. retail price of diesel fuel up 4.3 cents last week to $2.274 a gallon, while higher demand tied to increased summer driving pushed gasoline up nearly three times as much, the Energy Department reported.
June 1, 2009Navistar Challenges EPA on SCR Technology
Truck and engine manufacturer Navistar Inc. has challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to certify heavy-duty diesel engines using selective catalytic reduction to meet the agency’s 2010 standards for emissions of nitrogen oxides.
May 29, 2009First-Quarter GDP Downturn Revised to 5.7%
The U.S. economy contracted at an annual rate of 5.7% in the first quarter, a slight improvement from the 6.1% downturn reported last month, the Commerce Department said Friday.
May 29, 2009