Government

About Government News...

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.

Business, Fuel, Government

DHL Signs Transport Contract With Wal-Mart

DHL said Thursday it signed a three-year agreement with Wal-Mart Stores to provide air express and ground shipping throughout the United States, supporting the retail giant's 4,000 stores nationwide.

September 6, 2007
Business, Safety, Government

ISM Services Index Unchanged In August

The U.S. economy’s service sector growth in August held at the same level as the previous month, the Institute for Supply Management said Thursday.

September 6, 2007
Business, Fuel, Government

UTi Worldwide’s 2Q Income Dips

Air and ocean freight forwarder UTi Worldwide said Thursday its fiscal second-quarter net income fell 20% to $27.7 million or 28 cents a share, from $34.5 million or 35 cents a year ago.

September 6, 2007
Government, Business, Safety

Productivity Reaches Two-Year High

Second-quarter U.S. worker productivity rose at an annual rate of 2.6%, the most in almost two years, the Labor Department said Thursday.

September 6, 2007
Business, Government

Fed ‘Beige Book’ Notes Some Trucking Industry Softening

Manufacturing expanded in most U.S. regions in August, though the trucking industry saw some weaknesses related to pricing and a declining housing market, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.

September 5, 2007
Business, Logistics, Fuel, Government

Diesel Rises 3¢ to $2.893; Gas Jumps 4.7¢ to $2.796

The average national retail price of diesel climbed 3 cents to $2.893 a gallon, the Department of Energy said Tuesday.

September 5, 2007
Government, Business, Safety

FMCSA Submits Court-Ordered Guidelines for Driver Training

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has sent its court-ordered revision of new-driver training guidelines to the White House Office of Management and Budget, and trucking industry and safety officials said they hoped the agency would publish the new rule before the end of the year.

September 5, 2007
Business, Government, Safety, Equipment

Feds Propose Rail Brake Rule

Federal rail regulators are backing a technological change that will enable trains to stop more quickly while permitting them to travel longer distances between required brake tests, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

September 5, 2007
Business, Government, Technology, Equipment, Safety

Ryder to Manage China Operations for Italian Firm

An Italian manufacturer chose Ryder System to manage its supply chain operations in China, Ryder said late Tuesday.

September 5, 2007
Government, Business, Safety

Opinion: HOS’ Safety Benefits Hang in the Balance

A court decision vacating two aspects of the regulations that determine the work hours of professional truck drivers could erase a rule that contributed to a 4.7% decline in large-truck-related crash deaths in 2006 — unless cooler heads prevail.

September 5, 2007