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The Department of Transportation’s proposed $55 billion spending bill for 2001 is running into opposition on Capitol Hill because of proposals to increase user fees and to use fuel tax money for non-highway purposes.

The leader of the nation’s largest shippers group got a blunt answer from a representative of the railroad industry Feb. 23 in response to his call for allowing trucks to carry heavier loads in exchange for moving the freight partly over the railroads.

The federal government’s efforts to improve intermodal freight transportation were scrutinized by rail, highway and ocean carriers and officials from a host of government agencies last week at a National Academy of Sciences conference on national and global intermodal freight movement.

DaimlerChrysler refused to comment on reports that it plans to purchase financially troubled Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Bloomberg News reported last week.

Navistar International trucks are now, once and for all, simply “International” trucks.

The National Sleep Foundation last week called for increasing the amount of time truck drivers can spend behind the wheel to 12 hours, as long as they have 12 hours off.

The Associates, the nation’s largest provider of commercial truck and trailer financing, will make its first foray into the world of electronic commerce with the launch of an online marketplace for the sale of used trucks and related services.

An estimated 250 truckers in their trucks and bobtails descended on the federal seat of power last week to voice their frustration with skyrocketing diesel costs and to show solidarity over issues plaguing owner-operators.

Gov. John G. Rowland wants to get rid of a Connecticut property tax exemption for corporation fleet trucks that has not gone into effect.