Truckload carrier Heartland Express said its second-quarter profit rose 35.3% from a year ago on higher freight demand, while citing concerns over tight driver availability and rising fuel prices.
July 19, 2011GovernmentBusiness
Pa. Commission Endorses $2.7 Billion Transport Plan
A commission appointed by Pennsylvania’s governor has endorsed a plan to raise $2.7 billion annually for transportation by increasing fees, shifting programs to other departments and other cost savings.
July 19, 2011Business
Con-way Freight Sets 6.9% LTL Rate Increase
Following several of its large less-than-truckload competitors, Con-way Freight said it will implement a general rate increase averaging 6.9%, effective Aug. 1.
July 19, 2011BusinessFuel
Diesel Rises Again, Up 2.4¢ to $3.923; Gasoline Gains 4.1¢ to $3.682
Diesel rose for a second straight week, gaining 2.4 cents to an average $3.923 per gallon, the Department of Energy said Monday.
July 19, 2011Business
Housing Starts Soar 14.6% in June
Housing starts jumped 14.6% in June, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.
July 19, 2011BusinessSafety
ATA Supports MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving
American Trucking Associations this week expressed its support for the group Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s campaign to eliminate drunk driving.
July 19, 2011BusinessLogistics
NIT League Files Petition for STB Adoption of New Freight Railroad Switching Rules
The National Industrial Transportation League has filed a petition with the Surface Transportation Board asking the agency to adopt new reciprocal switching rules to allow captive rail shippers to use a second railroad.
July 19, 2011Business
Minn. Truckers Urge LaHood to Pay Attention to Shutdown
The Minnesota Trucking Association has written to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, urging him “to fully engage” his department in the state government shutdown there in order to “ensure that the state is honoring its obligations as a safety and enforcement partner.”
July 19, 2011Business
IRS Extends Highway-Use Tax Deadline to Nov. 30
The Internal Revenue Service is advising truckers and other owners of heavy highway vehicles that their next federal highway use tax return, normally due Aug. 31, will instead be due Nov. 30.
July 18, 2011Business
YRC Projects Operating Profit for Second Half of Year
YRC Worldwide expects to turn an operating profit in the second half of this year, the company said in a regulatory filing. It would mark the first such time since late 2007.
July 18, 2011