John G Smith
John G. Smith is Newcom Media's vice-president - editorial, and the editorial director of its trucking publications -- including Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, and Transport Routier. The award-winning journalist has covered the trucking industry since 1995.
Fleet makes case for hourly pay
JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU, Que. -- CH Express drivers were not alone in worries that a U.S. mandate for Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) might affect how much they could make. But managers at the flatbed fleet have responded in a bold way – by paying the long-haul drivers by the hour rather than distances.
Alternative Financing: Will your lender buy in to alternative fuel?
MONTREAL, QC -- Trucks that run on alternative fuels promise to be easier on the environment, but the equipment itself can be tougher on a capital budget. Consider natural gas. It’s historically cheaper than diesel, but the trucks that use it can cost an extra $50,000 to $100,000 over the price of their conventionally fueled counterparts, depending on the spec’s.
Descartes acquires Aljex for US $32.4 million
WATERLOO, ON – Descartes Systems Group has acquired Aljex Software, which provides back-office systems for freight brokers and transportation providers, for US $32.4 million in cash. Aljex boasts about 400 North American customers who make 3 million freight moves a year, automating their business processes and creating electronic documents needed for the moves. Waterloo, Ontario-based Descartes supplies Software-as-a-Service solutions to route, schedule, track and measure delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete other logistics processes.
Gibson Energy selling truck fleet
TORONTO, ON – Gibson Energy is selling all its Canadian trucking operation, and most of the fleet it operates in the U.S., as it focuses business assets on crude oil infrastructure. Between $275 and $375 million in assets are being sold overall, with the Canadian trucking operation expected to be sold by mid 2019, and non-core U.S. trucking businesses to be sold as early as the end of this year. “Gibson Energy will no longer be thought of as a trucking business,” president and Chief Executive Officer Steve Spaulding said in a Toronto presentation for investors, suggesting that some of the company’s assets simply don’t fit with the company’s vision for the future.
Canada ill-prepared for autonomous vehicles: Senate committee
OTTAWA, ON – Canada is ill-prepared for the arrival of autonomous and connected vehicles – even though driverless cars are already a reality, Canada’s Senate Committee on Transport and Communications has concluded. The committee responded this week with 16 recommendations to help prepare for the technology to come, calling for such things as a national strategy and cybersecurity measures to maintain public safety and confidence. “We are on the cusp of a transportation revolution, and Canada must be ready. Cities were ill-prepared when ride sharing came to Canada. We cannot afford to repeat this mistake,” said Senator Dennis Dawson, deputy chairman of the committee.
