Government

About Government News...

Transport Topics government and regulatory coverage keeps managers of a highly-regulated industry aware of the policy decisions that can shape their businesses. Covering both the legislative and regulatory aspects of policy-making, at both the state and national levels, the news in this category includes looks at infrastructure, hours of service, emissions rules, funding measures, leadership appointments, and more. Readers can follow what’s happening in Congress, at the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, and in state and local governments.

Government, Fuel

EPA, NHTSA Drop Emissions, Efficiency Rules

Federal regulators withdrew some portions of a rule they tried to finalize in June that would have made minor technical amendments to the upcoming greenhouse-gas emissions and fuel-efficiency standards for heavy trucks.

Timothy Cama | Staff Reporter
August 16, 2013

Daily Briefings from Transport Topics

Transport Topics has partnered with Spoken Layer to make one-minute daily briefings available on all your smart devices. Simply say “Alexa, play Transport Topics” or “Okay Google, talk to Transport Topics” to get the day’s biggest trucking headlines.

Government

Ambassador Bridge Boosts Truck Tolls

Tolls on the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit and  Windsor, Ontario, rose 25 cents per axle Thursday for all truck classes, bringing the toll for a 5-axle, 80,000-pound truck to $27.50, the bridge’s owners said.

August 15, 2013
Business, Government

Canada Suspends License of Railroad Involved in Quebec Crash

Canadian regulators have suspended the operating certificate of the railroad involved with last month’s railcar crash in Quebec that killed 47 people, Bloomberg News reported.

August 14, 2013
Government

OMB Clears Rule to Streamline FMCSA Registration

The White House Office of Management and Budget has approved a rule to streamline three federal motor carrier registration systems into one, the final step before the final rule can be published.

Timothy Cama | Staff Reporter
August 13, 2013
Government, Business

House Letter Asks DOT to Consider Size, Weight Effect on Local Roads, Bridges

Forty-five members of the U.S. House sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx asking that the truck size and weight study the federal government is conducting address the effect that heavier or longer trucks would have on local roads and bridges.

Michele Fuetsch | Staff Reporter
August 13, 2013
Government, Business

FMCSA Asks for Public Comment on Livestock Exemption, Munitions Hauling

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration asked the public Monday to weigh in on whether it should grant a permanent exemption to the rest-break requirement in the new hours-of-service rule to truckers hauling livestock.

Timothy Cama | Staff Reporter
August 12, 2013
Government

Postal Service’s 3Q Loss Narrows

The U.S. Postal Service reported a $740 million loss for its fiscal third quarter, compared with a $5.2 billion loss in the same quarter last year, Bloomberg News reported.

August 12, 2013
Government

Mexican Fleets Cite Benefits From Cross-Border Program

Mexican trucking companies that are participating in the U.S. cross-border freight pilot program said it allows them to provide faster service to customers and to have more control over their own operations than the older alternatives, such as transferring freight to U.S. carriers near the border.

August 12, 2013
Business, Government, Safety

Opinion:Help Wanted: Criminals Need Not Apply

August 12, 2013
Government, Business, Fuel

EPA Sets Final 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized the 2013 percentage standards for four fuel categories that are part of the Renewable Fuel Standard program established by Congress to reduce carbon climate change.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
August 8, 2013