Safety

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the Department of Transportation’s fiscal 2009 budget aimed at halting the U.S.-Mexico trucking pilot program.

Ryder System Wednesday reported a second-quarter profit of $62.9 million, or $1.10 per share, compared with $65.1 million, or $1.07 per share, a year ago.

The EPA has mandated equipment on our trucks, which adds weight. Why not allow the carriers the chance to recoup the payload?

Vitran Corp. said Wednesday its second-quarter profit fell 16% to $4.6 million, or 34 cents a share, from $5.5 million, or 41 cents, a year earlier.

Transportation and third-party logistics firm C.H. Robinson Worldwide said its second-quarter profit rose to $90.4 million, or 52 cents a share, from $82.3 million, or 47 cents, a year ago.

Heavy equipment and diesel engine maker Caterpillar Inc. said Tuesday its second-quarter profit rose 34%, led by international demand.

Canada’s two biggest freight railroads reported downturns in their second-quarter profits, Bloomberg reported.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a nearly 600-page request for public comment on whether it should use existing law to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, a decision one trucking official said was a way to further delay any new regulations until after President Bush leaves office.

A congressional panel will hold a hearing Thursday on ways to better gauge health of truck drivers, in an effort to reduce accidents, the Associated Press reported Monday.

Heavy-duty U.S. retail truck sales grew by 9.5% in June, compared with year-ago levels, and ended a streak of 17 consecutive months of contraction, according to the latest survey by WardsAuto.com.