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As a recent government employee, I must shout the age-old cliche, “Things ain’t what they used to be.”

The explosive growth that marked the truck leasing business in the 1970s and the post-deregulation ’80s is over. Leasing has essentially leveled off, as measured by the number of vehicles, but the business remains a strong and viable industry, executives say.

The shortage of qualified truck drivers gets plenty of press, but for truck leasing companies, the lack of trained technicians is just as serious.

Charging truck operators only for the miles they put on a vehicle is an idea that has been talked about by European truck leasing executives for several years.

The federal motor carrier safety program is broken, critics say. And it seems everyone has an idea on the best way to fix it.

The Federal Highway Administration’s efforts to crack down on the motor carriers with the worst safety records are not working, according to federal auditors.

An Arkansas Senate panel endorsed a plan Friday that would tax big trucks for each mile traveled, setting up a showdown over the best way to fund millions of dollars worth of highway improvements.

Navistar International displayed a completely new product array to more than 300 dealers, customers and media in a glitzy presentation in Chicago last week. The new trucks are the “9000i” (pictured) and “5000i” series.

Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) introduced legislation that would stop OSHA from going forward with its attempt to regulate ergonomics until a scientific study of the issue is completed by the National Academy of Sciences.

Rail shippers unhappy with prices are seeking more powers for federal rail regulators despite agreement that deregulation two decades ago has been a blessing for once-bankrupt railroads.