Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, July 18, 2024:
Trucking conditions turn positive in May
Trucking companies saw a big market improvement in May, according to the latest release of the Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) from FTR.
FTR reported its TCI entered positive territory in May, rising to 2.24 from the -1.95 reading for April. The biggest driving factor behind the positive trend was falling diesel prices and a freight rate environment that was less negative for carriers than has been the case over the past couple of years.
“Trucking is in the initial stages of a recovery, although it might be months before market participants perceive much change,” said Avery Vise, FTR’s vice president of trucking. “A big piece of May’s positive TCI was lower fuel costs, but freight rates also were much less unfavorable for carriers than usual since the fourth quarter of 2022.”
FTR cautions that May’s positive reading is likely an outlier, as readings are expected to return to negative territory through at least late this year.
“We expect rates to be mostly stable overall through late this year, with spot rates leading the way,” Vise added. “However, the capacity overhang remains large and will delay anything that could remotely be called a rebound.”
[Related: Diesel prices, freight rates fall]
Truck Parking Club now on Trucker Path Marketplace
Truck drivers can now join the Truck Parking Club through a popular trucking app, giving them access to paid parking spaces and more.
Truck Parking Club is the latest member of the Trucker Path Marketplace.
“Finding daily truck parking remains one of the biggest challenges for drivers,” said Chris Oliver, CMO at Trucker Path. “Through our partnership with the Truck Parking Club, the one million professional truck drivers who use the Trucker Path app now have an easy way to search for daily parking at locations in more than 30 states, find the closest spot in a matter of seconds and make a reservation. This new partnership is the latest way we’re helping users of the Trucker Path app simplify life on the road.”
The Truck Parking Club provides parking at locations that are listed by property owners. TPC members add truck, trailer, and company information in their account that is auto populated when making bookings.
[Related: Truck Parking Club turns free spaces paid: Is this the future of parking?]
Drivers who join the Truck Parking Club through the Marketplace in the Trucker Path app can:
- Access facilities for daily parking in advance. Some locations may also offer hourly, weekly and/or monthly rates.
- Search for parking using an interactive map that displays available locations, with each parking spot pinned with the facility’s name and its daily price.
- Search for parking when planning a route or by finding a parking spot near a specific location.
- View parking location information, including daily costs and available spaces, as well as amenities such as restrooms, 24/7 access, and more, and contact 27/7/365 customer support (staffed by former drivers) to ask any questions.
[Related: Survey says: Paid truck parking generally not utilized, resented by many truckers]
J.J. Keller launches new CARB compliance service
Two new programs introduced by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) -- Clean Truck Check and Advanced Clean Fleets -- require carriers to register most commercial vehicles operating in California and pay an annual fee. J.J. Keller & Associates is helping carriers simplify that process by introducing its Clean Fleet State Compliance Reporting Service.
“This new service helps carriers avoid CARB-related enforcement actions, including the denial of plate renewals and the blocking of purchases or sales of non-compliant vehicles,” said Shaun Gunderson, executive vice president of managed services at J.J. Keller. “We take all of the detailed and time-consuming reporting work off carriers’ hands and ensure everything is handled accurately and on time.”
The CARB programs apply to carriers operating diesel, alternative fuel and hybrid powered vehicles in the state of California with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 14,000 lbs., and also to carriers operating drayage truck fleets, government fleets, and high-priority fleets (50 or more vehicles or $50 million in revenue) in the state with a GVWR over 8,500 lbs.
J. J. Keller’s Clean Fleet State Compliance Reporting Service provides these carriers with expert advisement on the requirements, registration and reporting of all applicable vehicles, fee processing, record updates as carriers buy or sell vehicles, and support in the event of an audit or inspection.
“We understand that if a carrier’s trucks can't run due to non-compliance with CARB, their business in California comes to a stop,” Gunderson added. "But it’s not only California. More states are joining the effort for cleaner vehicle emissions, with differences in each state’s requirements. This makes compliance extremely complex for carriers with vehicles travelling in multiple states. We’re here to make that process easier.”
[Related: Calif. 'smog check' test deadlines put off]
