FAST crossings come to Fort Erie, upgrade in BC

FORT ERIE, ON - Border crossings in Fort Erie, Ontario could become a little faster for selected carriers. The Canada Border Services Agency has installed a dedicated lane and inspection booth at the international Peace Bridge for those that participate in the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program. That builds on similar lanes in Windsor and Sarnia, Ontario, as well as the Pacific Highway crossing in British Columbia. Trucks can use FAST lanes when the driver is a member of FAST or Commercial Driver Registration programs; the carrier and importer are approved under Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) and Partners in Protection (PIP); and all cargo includes CSA-eligible goods from the U.S. or Mexico.

Trump, Trudeau commit to pre-clearance, Gordie Howe Bridge

TORONTO, ON - The inaugural meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resulted in a joint statement by the two leaders. And while the statement didn't mention NAFTA, it did mention the importance of deepening the relationship between Canada and the U.S. The statement touches on some issues pertaining to the trucking industry, namely the quick completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Detroit, which is cited as a vital economic link between the two countries. In addition, it commits to implementing pre-clearance operations for cargo.

CTA releases joint statement ahead of Trump, Trudeau meeting

TORONTO, ON - The Canadian Trucking Alliance released a joint statement this morning addressing principles on how the world's biggest security, trade and cultural relationship should be managed -- just as U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were meeting for the first time.

Trump vows “America first” approach to trade

WASHINGTON, DC - Canada's largest trading partner has inaugurated a president who pledges "America first" policies on everything from trade to security. "From this day forward, it's going to be only America first. America first. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families," U.S. President Donald Trump said in his inaugural address on Friday. "We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs."We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth and we will bring back our dreams," he added.

Will new U.S. administration scuttle GHG rules?

WASHINGTON, DC -- As the final days of the Obama administration tick away, those opposed to some of the president's environmental initiatives are looking at ways to undermine the intent of the rules, or even to strike them from the books. With Republicans in charge of the House, the Senate and the White House, you could say the stars are uniquely aligned for just this sort of action. President-elect Donald Trump has already made it clear that he opposes and intends to undo some of those rules. Could Phase 2 of the Greenhouse Gas rules be on that list? "This has big potential for those who would like to strike any carbon regulation or fuel efficiency standards from the trucking industry," said American Trucking Associations vice president, energy and environmental counsel Glen Kedzie, in remarks he made during a GHG Phase 2 webinar hosted by ATA's Technology and Maintenance Council on January 5. Kedzie suggested there are three options open to the new administration: a legal challenge, an executive order from the president, or working through the Congressional Review Act to roll back the rule.

ATA applauds blockage of overtime rule change

ARLINGTON, VA - The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is applauding U.S. District Court Judge Amos Mazzant for blocking the Obama administration's new overtime rule.

U.S. funding driver training for vets

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has granted US $1 million to seven schools to help train more than 250 veterans and their family members as commercial drivers. The funding is provided through its Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMV-OST) grant program.

ATA wants brakes put on speed limiter proposal

ARLINGTON, VA - The American Trucking Associations (ATA) says it continues to hold a "pro-safety policy" regarding speed limiters, but it is raising concerns about a proposal to mandate the technology in the U.S. "Despite ATA's decade-old, pro-safety policy on speed, the new joint rulemaking from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Administration proposes a menu of three speed options for commercial trucks, not one," said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. "It provides insufficient data, and fails to make a recommendation regarding which of the three proposed speeds it believes is best and why. "

Spear attacks lawmakers, pledges action

LAS VEGAS, NV - The president and Chief Executive Officer of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) launched a blistering attack on the record of U.S. lawmakers on Monday, pledging to take action on issues ranging from taxation to Hours of Service.

OOIDA wants speed limiter language removed

GRAIN VALLEY, MO - The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is asking the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations not to reference mandated speed limiters when drafting federal spending measures.

Trucking tolls in NY shouldn’t finance canal: Court

ARLINGTON, Va. - The American Trucking Associations is applauding a federal court ruling against New York State for using the tolls paid by interstate truckers to finance unrelated tourism and recreation projects around the New York Canal System.

U.S. trucking revenue hit record in 2015: ATA

ARLINGTON, VA - The U.S. trucking industry collected record revenues in 2015, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

Unified Registration System rollout delayed three months

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is delaying the rollout of a simplified online registration system until January 14, 2017, adding three months to an original September 30 deadline.

FMCSA to study how to determine crash fault

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. regulators are preparing a two-year demonstration program that will help determine which "less complex" crashes should be considered preventable for the purpose of a carrier's safety rating. It's the latest step in an overhaul of the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program, which scores violations under Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvements Categories (BASICS) including a "crash indicator". Carriers have for some time been asking how to remove scores for crashes that they don't believe are their fault, Joe DeLorenzo

U.S. private fleets report productivity spike, aging drivers

KING CITY, ON - Private fleets in the U.S. appear to be in an enviable position. Productivity is up, driver turnover is low, and a growing number of operations are investing in safety-related tools. But initial results from the National Private Truck Council's annual benchmarking survey also show there are still challenges to overcome, particularly when it comes to an aging driver population.