Business
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.
Bill Would Let States Collect Online Sales Tax
A bipartisan bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to allow states to collect sales taxes on online purchases, potential revenue that at least two states have directed to roads.
QuickBooks for Trucking: Connecting QuickBooks to Your TMS
Learn how Truckbase connects QuickBooks for trucking and your TMS to help you marry your trucking-specific data in your TMS with your financial data in QuickBooks.
ARTBA Says Raise Fuel Tax 15 Cents, Give Taxpayers Rebates
The nation’s road builders have proposed that Congress hike the federal diesel and gasoline tax 15 cents a gallon and offset the cost for low- and middle-income people with tax rebates.
Trains Carrying Crude in Canada to Face Tougher Safety Standards
Canada is strengthening proposed new safety standards for rail cars carrying crude oil, requiring thicker steel and other improvements after a 2013 derailment killed 47 people.
Retail Sales Fall for Third Straight Month
Sales at U.S. retailers unexpectedly decreased in February for a third consecutive month as inclement weather and low wage gains restrained shoppers.
Jobless Claims Decline by 36,000 Last Week
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits declined more than forecast last week, returning to a level that’s consistent with an improving labor market.
DOT Freight Transportation Index Rises 5.6%
The Department of Transportation’s freight transportation services index rose 5.6% in January from the same month in 2014, DOT said March 11.
March 12, 2015Cass Freight Index Rises Less Than 1% in February
The Cass Freight Index, a measure of shipping activity in trucking and other transportation modes, increased in February and expenditures also rose, Cass Information Systems said.
March 11, 2015Science Group Urges Strong Greenhouse Gas Rule
The Union of Concerned Scientists wants two federal agencies to set a rigorous standard for improvement in their rule on greenhouse gas emissions by heavy- and medium-duty trucks, which is due by the end of March.
Intermodal Traffic Rises for First Time in Four Weeks
U.S. rail intermodal traffic rose for the first time in four weeks, rising 4% in the week ended March 7 compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads reported.
March 11, 2015Seat Belt Tickets Peak in Summer, Vigillo Says
Citations for failure to use seat belts have a seasonal component — peaking in the summer and falling in the winter — according to a report from data analysis company Vigillo.