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May 11, 2000 9:15 AM, EDT

Oregon officials say the number of truckers cited lacking proper credentials has risen dramatically since the state reduced the hours of operation of its ports of entry.

The increase has come since the state reduced the hours truckers may register at five of Oregon’s ports of entry. The ports have been open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday since the cutback in 1998.

Truck drivers that planned to enter the state at other times were told they would have to get their credentials — a trip permit and a temporary pass that requires pre-payment of the weight-distance tax — beforehand. Interstate carriers that are registered with the Oregon government in effect already have these credentials.

In the first quarter of 2000, state authorities cited nearly 2,300 truck driver for failing to obtain the credentials. That pace that would put the yearly total over 9,000, up from 5,025 in 1999.

For the full story, see the May 8 print edition of Transport Topics. .