WINNIPEG, Man. – The Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) is looking for some of its members to volunteer to participate in a joint industry/government working group to move toward implementing a weight scale bypass program in the province.

The MTA said it is encouraged by the progress that has been made toward bringing in the electronic screening (e-screening) program, which uses intelligent transportation systems technology to allow carriers with approved safety records to bypass highway inspection stations, saving drivers time, reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, speed up flow of freight and allow governments to focus more on enforcement resources.

The MTA and Manitoba Infrastructure will establish the working group, which will collect information, identify and assess the different options available and recommend to the association’s board and province the preferred option for implementation.

The MTA will initially represent the provincial trucking industry as part of the working group. It has solicited other Canadian trucking industry associations to participate in potential regional or national e-screening initiatives and will encourage external participants once the plan is released to the public.

Also part of the process is the collection of information from jurisdictions that are supporting similar programs, such as Alberta’s Partners in Compliance program. The information will be used to develop options for starting a similar program in Manitoba, develop a consensus among working group members on the preferred option and obtain endorsements from the MTA board and approvals from government to begin implementation.

An initial meeting will be held Nov. 30 from 1-4 p.m. for the group; members are encouraged to contact the MTA at 204-632-6600 for details.