Transportation Industry News

• Editorial: Cash in Hand, Behind the Wheel
  If you pay them, will they come? Motor carriers have been boosting driver pay at a steady clip lately. It seems that a week can’t pass without a company announcing that it’s boosting compensation, be it on a per-mile basis or through bonuses and incentives.
• Marten Reports Higher Profits, Revenue in 1Q
  Marten Transport Ltd. reported higher profits and revenue in the first quarter of 2018 as the Mondovi, Wis.-based truckload carrier benefited from lower taxes and stronger demand for freight hauling.
• Amazon Nears Stock Record as Wall Street Praises Prime Milestone
  Amazon.com shares gained as much 2.7% intraday April 19, putting the online retailer within 3% of its March 12 record-high after founder and CEO Jeff Bezos drafted a letter to shareholders touting the company surpassing more than 100 million users with paid Prime memberships.
• Ina Daly Crowned Grand Champion in Arizona State Truck Driving Championships
  Competing in the tanker class, XPO Logistics Inc. trucking legend Ina Daly earned grand champion honors at Arizona’s truck driving championships and again secured a spot to the national tournament in August.
• Alabama Port Authority Finds Partner for Planned Automobile-Handling Terminal
  Last month, the Alabama State Port Authority announced major funding grants for a planned automobile-handling terminal. It now has a deal with a partner that will develop and operate it.
• House Consideration of Meal-and-Rest-Break Provision Possible Week of April 23
  An aviation reauthorization bill likely to see consideration in the House is being eyed as a potential approach for advancing a nationwide meal-and-rest-break provision for truckers, which industry executives say would enhance efficiency and safety.
• TxDOT to Forgive $1.3 Billion in Unpaid Toll Fees, Fines
  The Texas Department of Transportation will waive more than $1.3 billion in late fines and fees owed by those who drove on its toll roads since 2007, agency officials say, a response to a cap in such fees imposed last year by the Legislature
• Carriers, Shippers Working to Meet Demand for Freight Hauling
  Carriers and shippers are adjusting to an environment where rising freight rates and a driver shortage are bumping up against an expected drop in capacity now that soft enforcement for truck drivers to record their on-duty status using ELDs has ended, compelling the industry to work hard to prevent disruption in the movement of goods.
• North Carolina Truckers to See 14.61% Surcharge on Liability Insurance
  North Carolina motor carriers are being slapped with a 14.61% surcharge on their liability insurance policies to plug a $96 million shortfall in the state’s insurance risk pool.
• Tennessee Law Prohibits State Funds From Supporting ELD Enforcement of Ag Haulers
  Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed a law April 18 that would prohibit state funds from being used to enforce electronic logging device regulations for certain agriculture-related hauls