ATA Taps 10 Carrier Execs for Highway-Funding Task Force
The American Trucking Associations has formed a panel consisting of 10 top executives of major motor carriers and the president of a state motor carrier association that its has charged with evaluating approaches to financing highway-infrastructure improvements. The Infrastructure Funding Task Force had first been floated by ATA President and CEO Chris Spear back in early October at the group’s annual meeting.
TTC hosts AGM, annual dinner and gala
TORONTO, Ont. — The Toronto Transportation Club held its Annual General Meeting at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on December 8. The board voted and elected the executive committee for 2017. Gary Fast was named the new TTC president; Lori McCreight will…
Congress Completes Hours-of-Service Fix
Special legislation, in the form of a Continuing Resolution, that contains language to fix the legislative glitch that threatened use of a 34-hour restart as part of the hours-of-service rule for truck drivers passed the Senate late Friday night, Dec. …
On the road
I recently returned from the ATA MC&E (Management Conference and Exhibition) that was held in Las Vegas, I was there to share in my dear friend Kevin Burch’s limelight as he assumed the role of Chairman for the 2016/17 term.…
These are the good old days
I was recently privileged to sit with a number of bright young women who were on their way to become truck drivers. This was part of a Trucking HR Canada event that brought together mentors and drivers. The women at…
What Canadians need to know about the new cap and trade carbon tax
When it comes to avoiding temptation, the past week has been a tough one for the OPEC gang. Choosing not to frothily spout on the OPEC (oh yeah, we will) production cut was squirmy. This seems like an appropriate word…
Trailer Wizards appoints Mark Irwin as v.p. of fleet
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Trailer Wizards announced the appointment of Mark Irwin as vice-president, fleet. In this role, Irwin will be a key member of the executive team driving the organization forward and he will lead the service management team, responsible…
Federal Motor Carrier Administrator goes on ride-along with female truck driver
PLOVER, Wisc. — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator (FMCSA) Scott Darling took a ride with Women in Trucking (WIT) Association’s Stephanie Klang last week to get a taste of life on a road with a female truck driver. Klang is a…
Don’t dismiss small trucking companies just yet
I’m as guilty as anyone in terms of predicting the demise of the small motor carrier overlooking, as many in trucking do, that 90% or so of the fleets in this industry operate six or fewer trucks, while 97% or so operate fewer than 20 trucks. “Even with all the issues associated with the current regulations and additional regulations in the pipeline and even with the incoming Trump administration likely to be considerably more trucker-friendly, the evidence continues to mount that small carriers are significantly disadvantaged vis–vis the larger carriers,” argued John Larkin , managing director and head of transportation capital markets research at Stifel Capital Markets , during a recent conference call.
Turnover Hits 5-Year Low at Large Truckload Fleets
Turnover at truckload fleets with more than $30 million in annual revenue dropped two points to 81% in the third quarter of 2016, according to American Trucking Associations. “Ongoing softness in the freight economy has contributed to an easing of the …