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, Government, Technology, Equipment, Safety

Ryder to Switch from Pension Plan to 401(k)

Ryder System said late Thursday that it will freeze its pension system and shift to a 401(k) savings plan, in a move that will affect about a third of its employees.

January 12, 2007

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.

Business, Government

Retail Sales Rise 0.9% in December

U.S. retail sales rose 0.9% in November, the Commerce Department said Friday.

January 12, 2007
Business, Government, Safety

FMCSA Proposes Mandatory EOBRs for Habitual Violators

WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposed a rule Thursday to mandate the use of electronic onboard recorders for habitual violators of federal hours-of-service rules.

Sean McNally | Staff Reporter
January 11, 2007
Business, Safety, Government, Equipment, Autonomous

ArvinMeritor to Develop Diesel-Electric Drivetrain for Wal-Mart

Trucking component maker ArvinMeritor and Wal-Mart Transportation have agreed to develop a dual-mode, diesel-electric drivetrain for a Class 8 tractor, the two said.

January 11, 2007
Business, Fuel, Government

Schwarzenegger Orders Calif. to Further Cut Fuel Emissions

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) plans to ask state regulators to require the state’s petroleum refiners and gasoline sellers to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 10%, the New York Times reported Wednesday.

January 10, 2007
Business, Government, Autonomous

Trucking-Related Revenue Rose to $292 Billion in ’05

Trucking, couriers and messengers, and warehousing and storage revenue reached $292 billion in 2005, up from $266 billion the year before, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

January 10, 2007
Business, Government, Autonomous

Paccar to Build $400 Mln. Powertrain Plant in Southeastern U.S.

Paccar Inc., the parent company of Kenworth Truck Co. and Peterbilt Motors Co., said late Tuesday it plans to build a new $400 million powertrain manufacturing plant in the southeastern United States.

January 10, 2007
Business, Government

Wholesale Inventories, Sales Gain for November

Wholesale inventories jumped 1.3% in November as sales rebounded from two consecutive declines, rising 1%, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

January 10, 2007
Business, Government

U.S. Trade Deficit Narrowed in November, Commerce Reports

The U.S. trade deficit narrowed in November to its smallest level since July 2005 and, as exports reached a record and oil imports declined, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.

January 10, 2007
Business, Safety, Government, Autonomous

Security & Safety Briefs — Jan. 4 - Jan. 10

Highway Watch Report Leads to Arrest • McMurray Named FMCSA’s Chief Safety Officer • Mass. Trucking Company Files Complaint Against FMCSA • Survey Cites Drivers’ HOS Compliance Concerns • And more...

January 10, 2007