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.

Business, Safety, Government, Logistics, Fuel

Mullen Buys Fluid, Oilfield Transport Firm

Canadian transportation firm Mullen Group Income Fund said Thursday it would buy the transport unit of Essential Energy Services Trust for C$135 million.

June 5, 2008
Government, Business, Logistics

Dynamex Reports Improved 3Q Profit

Logistics and delivery firm Dynamex Inc. said its fiscal third-quarter profit was $3.8 million, or 37 cents a share, up from $3.5 million, or 33 cents, a year earlier.

June 4, 2008
Business, Government

Collins Introduces Bill to Allow Higher Truck Weights

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has introduced legislation that would allow trucks to carry up to 100,000 pounds on federal highways when diesel prices are at least $3.50 a gallon.

June 4, 2008
Business, Safety, Government

ISM Services Index Declines in May

An index of the U.S. economy’s service sector slipped in May from a month earlier but continued to show expansion, the Institute for Supply Management said Wednesday.

June 4, 2008
Business, Safety, Fuel, Government

Letters to the Editor: Fuel-Protests, Fuel-Intermodal, Fuel-Surcharges, Troopers in Trucks, Border Pilot Program

The only way fuel prices will ever come back down to reasonable levels is for our nation’s truckers to park their rigs for three to seven days. Even drivers for major companies would need to park and refuse to drive.

June 4, 2008
Government, Business, Safety

FMCSA Warns About Anti-Smoking Drug Chantix

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued an advisory warning that the popular prescription smoking-cessation drug Chantix may adversely affect commercial drivers’ ability to operate their vehicles safely.

June 4, 2008
Government, Business, Safety

First-Quarter Productivity Upgraded to 2.6%

First-quarter U.S. worker productivity rose 2.6% from the previous quarter, up from an earlier estimate, the Labor Department said Wednesday.

June 4, 2008
Government, Business, Safety, Logistics

Opinion: A Clearinghouse for Drug and Alcohol Info

Just days after a new report recommended improvements to drug-testing programs that could better identify illegal drug users and keep them off the road, Reps. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), John Mica (R-Fla.) and Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) announced their intention to introduce legislation aimed at establishing a national clearinghouse of positive drug-test results.

June 4, 2008
Government, Business, Safety, Logistics

Canadian Provinces Nearing Accord on Speed Limiters, OTA Says

The Ontario Trucking Association said that a joint meeting this week of the Ontario and Quebec government cabinets moved them closer to accord on trucking issues such as implementing speed limiter legislation and allowing for longer combination vehicles.

June 4, 2008
Fuel, Business, Safety, Government

GM Closing Four North American Plants

General Motors Corp. is closing four North American truck and sport utility vehicle plants, in light of high fuel prices that are pushing consumers to smaller vehicles, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

June 3, 2008