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.
Dynamex Reports Improved 3Q Profit
Logistics and delivery firm Dynamex Inc. said its fiscal third-quarter profit was $3.8 million, or 37 cents a share, up from $3.5 million, or 33 cents, a year earlier.
June 4, 2008Collins Introduces Bill to Allow Higher Truck Weights
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has introduced legislation that would allow trucks to carry up to 100,000 pounds on federal highways when diesel prices are at least $3.50 a gallon.
June 4, 2008ISM Services Index Declines in May
An index of the U.S. economy’s service sector slipped in May from a month earlier but continued to show expansion, the Institute for Supply Management said Wednesday.
June 4, 2008Letters to the Editor: Fuel-Protests, Fuel-Intermodal, Fuel-Surcharges, Troopers in Trucks, Border Pilot Program
The only way fuel prices will ever come back down to reasonable levels is for our nation’s truckers to park their rigs for three to seven days. Even drivers for major companies would need to park and refuse to drive.
June 4, 2008FMCSA Warns About Anti-Smoking Drug Chantix
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued an advisory warning that the popular prescription smoking-cessation drug Chantix may adversely affect commercial drivers’ ability to operate their vehicles safely.
June 4, 2008First-Quarter Productivity Upgraded to 2.6%
First-quarter U.S. worker productivity rose 2.6% from the previous quarter, up from an earlier estimate, the Labor Department said Wednesday.
June 4, 2008Opinion: A Clearinghouse for Drug and Alcohol Info
Just days after a new report recommended improvements to drug-testing programs that could better identify illegal drug users and keep them off the road, Reps. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), John Mica (R-Fla.) and Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) announced their intention to introduce legislation aimed at establishing a national clearinghouse of positive drug-test results.
June 4, 2008Canadian Provinces Nearing Accord on Speed Limiters, OTA Says
The Ontario Trucking Association said that a joint meeting this week of the Ontario and Quebec government cabinets moved them closer to accord on trucking issues such as implementing speed limiter legislation and allowing for longer combination vehicles.
June 4, 2008GM 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, 2008