A.M. Executive Briefing - Jan. 31
This Morning's Headlines:
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OPEC May Extend Cuts in Production
According to a senior Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries source, oil producers will likely maintain production cuts after the March expiration of their year-long accord. If necessary, however, the OPEC countries will reduce market speculation and "achieve genuine market tranquillity" by sending clear signals about future policy, the source says. Journal of Commerce (01/31/00) P. 4Truckers Warn Consumers About Rising Prices
Rising fuel prices are going to drive many independent truckers out of business, reducing the availability of needed supplies such as food, truckers are saying. According to Bob Wiest, manager of a Janesville, Wis., automotive hauler that operates in 48 states, many will not be able to stay in business any longer if analysts' predictions are true and prices remain high until summer or later. Diesel has hit $2 a gallon in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and $1.46 in Alabama, he says.
Truckers Are Set to Strike Over Gas Prices
Over 1,000 independent forestry-products truckers in Quebec are set to strike Monday over high diesel costs. Association of Independent Truckers President Clement Belanger says forestry companies have not yet responded to the truckers' request for a 12% or higher increase in rates.Separately, the Conference of National Trade Unions has set a Feb. 20 deadline for Transport Minister Guy Chevrette to announce measures in response to complaints put forth at a forum last fall. That forum was held in order to halt highway blockades in parts of the province that lasted a week and included more than 1,000 trucks. Montreal Gazette (01/31/00) P. A3
Thruway: If Toll Hike Is Unacceptable, Come Up With Other Funding
The New York State Thruway Authority last week passed a construction plan increasing road and bridge funding to almost $1 billion in the next half decade, which would be funded by toll hikes starting June 1 with a 1.8% increase.Under the authority's plan, tolls will rise each year that the Engineering News Record's Construction Cost Index increases and will stay the same if the index falls, although this will also depend on yearly reviews of finances and construction needs. In addition, the plan would place a 3% cap on yearly toll increases. Before the toll hikes are approved, there will be four April hearings on the plan, currently set for Syracuse, Albany, Buffalo, and metro New York City.
The toll-hike plan was publicized by state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, who says economic gains could be hurt by the toll hikes, and Thruway Authority Executive Director John Platt says the authority would discuss any funding alternative the senate majority offers. Bill Joyce, president of the New York State Motor Truck Association, says the plan would raise the tax burden on trucking, a vital industry already struggling with rising fuel costs.
Platt says a reclassification of trucks would cause tolls to go down close to 16% for 53-foot trails and go up 2% for tandems. Associated Press (01/30/00); Stashenko, Joel
Committee Approves Bill on Big Trucks
The Vermont House Transportation Committee has passed a bill that would allow 53-foot trailers on interstate highways in the state as well as all of or portions of U.S. routes 2, 4, 7, and 302 and state routes 9, 22A, 78, 103, 104, 105, and 289.Large trucks would need to get free permits in order to go through certain downtowns, and the bill would add five motor vehicle inspectors and fund local police truck-enforcement training with $100,000. Business interests back the bill, while opponents do not want large trucks in historic downtown areas. Associated Press (01/30/00)
Legislator Targets Noisy Truck Brakes
Illinois House Bill 2958, introduced by Rep. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest), would enable the state Transportation Department to put up signs, at communities' request, banning compression brake use close to residential areas. The bill is now in the House Transportation and Motor Vehicles Committee. Chicago Tribune (01/29/00) P. 57 Hurt as Train Hits Truck Stuck on Tracks
An oversized truck, escorted by state police, was hit by a commuter train in Glendale, Calif., on Friday even though the truck's route was supposed to avoid rail lines.The truck, hauling an oil refinery condenser, got stuck on the tracks after a wrong turn, the California Highway Patrol said. The police escort had blocked traffic to allow the truck to turn from Grandview Avenue to San Fernando Road, but the driver crossed tracks parallel to the road then got stuck when the CHP officers told him to turn around and cross back over them.
CHP Commissioner Spike Helmick said trucking company Mercury Transportation will have to answer many questions and added that he was uncertain whether the truck had a proper permit for going through Glendale.
The northbound Metrolink train's engineer and conductor and five of its six passengers had minor injuries; a worse accident was avoided when the engineer radioed ahead to bring a southbound train to an emergency stop. About 300 passengers are ordinarily on the southbound trains. Los Angeles Times (01/29/00) P. 5B
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