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WASHINGTON — Independent truckers need a fuel surcharge to stay in business, but the federal government has chosen the wrong industry — shippers — to pick up the tab, said witnesses at a June 8 House subcommittee hearing.

Conventional wisdom over the past 20 years has been that competition in freight transportation benefits shippers more than economic regulation, but a new study shows the reverse is true — and it could have widespread effects.

A Senate critic of the proposed ergonomics standards contends more analysis and response time is needed by state and local governments, railroads and the U.S. Postal Service.

A study that attempted to warn of high-risk behavior that could expose long-haul truckers to the human immunodificiency virus drew protests and stormy reaction from many readers, including those who make their living at truck stops.

In this afternoon's headlines: Transportation bill would ban hours-of-service funding; M.S. Carrier's stock gets a lift; trucking yard in California rejected; Michigan township may ban trucks; and more.

The researcher who led the survey on long-haul truckers and their risk of exposure to HIV wants to clarify several things about the findings.

The atmosphere at many of today’s trucks stops differs little from a suburban shopping mall. Truck stops and malls are usually clean, well-lighted places with a wide variety of goods and services for sale and many different opportunities for amusement and entertainment.

In the news this morning: Parker Hannifin to acquire Wynn's Intl.; Idaho trucking firms say federal hours proposals are unworkable; and trucker's insurance company to cover roadway damages in Alabama tanker explosion.

Members of The Maintenance Council need not be members of American Trucking Associations under an arrangement that may lay to rest a controversy that has threatened TMC's structure since the introduction of ATA strategic plan in 1998.