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.
Florida Storms Cause Accidents, Wreak Havoc in State
Big thunderstorms and tornadoes blew through central Florida Friday, killing as many as 19 people and causing accidents on interstates, including one that tossed a tractor-trailer airborne, news reports said.
February 2, 2007Saia Buys Wisconsin LTL Carrier for $2.5 Million
Less-than-truckload carrier Saia Inc. said Thursday it has acquired Wisconsin-based LTL company Madison Freight Systems for about $2.5 million.
February 1, 2007Canadian For-Hire Companies’ Revenue Rose in 2Q ’06
There were an estimated 3,336 for-hire trucking companies based in Canada with annual revenues of $1 million or more in the second quarter of 2006, almost unchanged from the same quarter in 2005, Statistics Canada said Thursday.
February 1, 2007ISM Manufacturing Index Shows Contraction in January
The Institute for Supply Management’s January manufacturing index showed a contraction, as factories reined in orders to trim inventories, ISM said Thursday.
February 1, 2007Personal Spending Rises 0.7% in December
Consumer personal spending rose in December by the most in five months and personal incomes also rose, the Commerce Department said Thursday.
February 1, 2007Truck Suppliers See Obstacles in Push for ‘World’ Vehicle
LAS VEGAS — Leading heavy-duty truck components manufacturers said technology exists today to build a safer, environmentally friendly and low-cost heavy-duty “world truck,” but major obstacles are consumer acceptance and the lack of a single global standard for emissions and safety technology.
FedEx Completes Acquisition of Indian Express Firm
FedEx Corp. said Wednesday it completed its previously announced acquisition of Indian firm Prakash Air Freight Pvt. Ltd. Terms were not disclosed.
January 31, 2007Security & Safety Briefs — Jan. 25 - Jan. 31
TSA Awards TWIC Contract to Lockheed Martin • Canada Passes Border Security Bill • Railroads to Get More Safety Scrutiny • EU Customs Chief Criticizes Cargo-Screening Measure
January 31, 2007Japan’s Hino Motors’ Fiscal Third-Quarter Profit Falls 45%
Hino Motors Ltd., Japan’s largest maker of heavy-duty trucks, saw its fiscal third-quarter profit drop 45% as the company spent more to develop new models and expand production, Bloomberg reported.
January 31, 2007Shippers Back Increasing Weight Limit for Trucks
Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.WASHINGTON — Shippers would like to see a switch to larger trucks, and U.S. safety inspectors monitoring size-and-weight rules could have more technology at their disposal in the coming years, according to a Transportation Research Board panel discussion here.
