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.
Gasoline Drops 22¢ Over Two Weeks to $1.75 a Gallon, Lundberg Says
The national average price of regular gasoline plunged another 22 cents in the two weeks ended Friday, to $1.75 a gallon, the lowest price in almost five years, according to the latest Lundberg Survey of filling stations released Sunday.
December 8, 2008FedEx Sets 5.7% LTL Rate Increase
FedEx Corp.’s less-than-truckload units FedEx Freight and FedEx National LTL have each set a 5.7% general rate increase, effective Jan. 5.
December 8, 2008Union Offers YRC Savings
The Teamsters tentatively agreed to a 10% wage cut to help YRC Worldwide Inc. cope with the recession as part of a package that, among other things, requires YRC to give the union a 15% stake in the less-than-truckload carrier.
December 8, 2008FMCSA Issues Medical Rule Requiring Proof of Certification
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration last week issued a final rule requiring all interstate truck drivers to prove they have passed medical examinations and proposed a separate rule setting up a national registry of qualified examiners.
December 8, 2008Diesel Prices Continue to Fall
Diesel fuel prices continued to slide last week, with the U.S. average falling 4.9 cents to $2.615 a gallon, according to the Department of Energy.
December 8, 2008Oil Closes Week Near $40
Oil fell almost $3 Friday to close the week near $40 a barrel, the lowest closing price in four years, Bloomberg reported.
December 5, 2008N.Y. Enhanced Licenses Approved for U.S.-Canada Border Crossing
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it will accept Enhanced Drivers Licenses issued by the state of New York as an acceptable document to cross into the United States from Canada without showing a passport.
December 5, 2008Rail, Intermodal Traffic Fall in November
Rail and intermodal traffic fell sharply in November from a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said.
December 5, 2008October Factory Orders Fall 5.1%
U.S. factory orders fell 5.1% in October, the most in eight years, the Commerce Department said Thursday.
December 4, 2008Fed Cites Lag in Transport Services Demand
Demand for transportation services has lowered since early October, and costs for services have fallen in some areas, and demand for transportation services will continue into 2009, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.
December 3, 2008