Trucking Business News

About Business News...

Transport Topics business coverage focuses on the financial, economic, and commercial aspects of the modern freight business. Looking at both the microeconomic and macroeconomic forces shaping bottom lines, the news in this category includes labor news, jobs reports, tonnage and sales indicators, operations analysis, money and banking, mergers, acquisitions, e-commerce, bankruptcy, insurance issues, and more.

Letters to the EditorBusinessSafetyGovernmentLogistics

Letters: Safe Driving, Mileage Tax, Sleep Apnea

I agree wholeheartedly with op-ed writer Ryan McDonald’s opinion on the value of tail-ride checks, when they are performed by safety professionals. These on-the-road driver observations are an integral part of my company’s services to the Canadian transportation industry.

May 11, 2009
EditorialBusinessFuelGovernment

Fuel’s Crystal Ball

If you have any doubts about the future direction of fuel prices, pay attention to what’s happening today.

May 11, 2009
BusinessGovernment

Harkin Says Senate Wary of Card Check, Mandatory Arbitration

Federal legislation to permit so-called card check union registration is running into trouble in the Senate, one of the bill’s co-sponsors said last week.

May 11, 2009
BusinessGovernmentSafety

Bill Would Offer Federal Grants to Create Truck Parking Spaces

A new legislative proposal would provide $20 million in each of the next six years for a pilot program designed to generate more truck parking spaces across the country.

May 11, 2009
GovernmentBusinessSafety

Chrysler’s Suppliers Stung by Auto Firm’s Bankruptcy

Chrysler’s filing for Chapter 11 protection is spilling over into the trucking industry as suppliers adjust to a bankruptcy process that has shut down the company’s auto production for at least 30 days.

May 11, 2009
Business

Truckload Rates Fall in 1Q

Truckload rates continued their downward slide during the first quarter, and there is no sign recession-driven levels of intense competition, weak demand and excess capacity are abating, carriers and industry analysts said.

May 11, 2009
GovernmentBusinessFuel

Fleet’s Choice Site Creates Edge by Saving Miles, Fuel

Twenty-seven years ago at a bankruptcy sale, New England Motor Freight bought 22 acres at the Port of New York & New Jersey for just over $1 million.

May 11, 2009
GovernmentBusinessFuel

Lower Costs Lead Truckers to Buy ’07 Diesels

Lofty goals for the widespread use of clean alternative fuels at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., are running into market realities as drayage operators ignore liquefied natural gas engines and instead buy less-expensive diesel trucks.

May 11, 2009
BusinessEquipmentGovernment

Tumbling Prices for Commodities Fail to Bring Relief to Truck Buyers

Prices of most key commodities used in making heavy trucks have dropped 50% or more since last year, but price reductions for tires, components and trucks have been difficult to find.

May 11, 2009
BusinessGovernmentSafety

Senate to Consider Stiffer Rail Competition Rules

Freight railroads are facing their stiffest legislative challenge in three decades, as a bill that would make the first changes to the industry’s competitive environment since 1980 is slated for a Senate vote in a matter of weeks.

May 11, 2009