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.
GM Closing Four North American Plants
General Motors Corp. is closing four North American truck and sport utility vehicle plants, in light of high fuel prices that are pushing consumers to smaller vehicles, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
June 3, 2008Factory Orders Increase 1.1%
Factory orders jumped 1.1% in April, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.
June 3, 2008Diesel Dips 1.6¢ to $4.707; Gas Gains 3.9¢ to Record $3.976
The average price of retail diesel fuel fell for the first time in a month, dipping 1.6 cents from an all-time record high to an average $4.707 a gallon, the Department of Energy said.
June 3, 2008Connecticut to Raise Diesel, Gas Taxes
Connecticut will raise its taxes on diesel and gasoline July 1, the Hartford Courant reported Tuesday.
June 3, 2008DOT Seeks Proposals to Fight Border Congestion
The Department of Transportation said Monday it is requesting proposals for innovative new approaches to reduce traffic tie-ups at some of the nation’s most congested border crossings.
June 2, 2008UPS Freight Extends Guarantee to Canada
UPS Freight, which introduced its on-time performance guarantee in the United States in January, said Monday it has expanded the guarantee to shipments moving in both directions across the Canada-U.S. border.
June 2, 2008ISM Factory Index Improves, But Still Shows Contraction
U.S. manufacturing levels improved in May but continued to show contraction, the Institute for Supply Management said Monday.
June 2, 2008Construction Spending Falls for Second Straight Month
Construction spending fell for a second straight month in April, the Commerce Department said Monday.
June 2, 2008U.S. Xpress Completes Pinner Purchase
Truckload carrier U.S. Xpress Enterprises said its Xpress Global Systems subsidiary finalized its purchase of Pinner Transportation. Terms were not released.
June 2, 2008Software Firms Seeing Greater Demand as Fleets Seek Savings, Efficiency Gains
Executives with several software firms said their businesses are awash with inquiries from carriers seeking to streamline operations as they struggle with record fuel prices and sluggish freight demand.
June 2, 2008