Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, April 2, 2025:
Former Massachusetts trooper to plead guilty for alleged CDL testing scheme
A former Massachusetts State Police (MSP) trooper has agreed to plead guilty to his role in an alleged conspiracy to falsify records by giving passing scores to certain commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants even if they failed the CDL test or took less than the full test required by federal law.
Calvin Butner, 64, of Halifax, Massachusetts, will plead guilty to a count of conspiracy to falsify records, three counts of falsifying records and aiding and abetting, and five counts of making false statements. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled the plea hearing for April 7. In January 2024, Butner was charged in a 74-count indictment along with five others in the alleged conspiracy and related schemes.
According to the charging document, between, on, or about May 2019 and January 2023, Butner and three other members of the CDL Unit with MSP conspired to give preferential treatment to at least 17 CDL applicants by agreeing to give passing scores on their CDL tests regardless of whether they actually passed. Butner and the co-defendants allegedly used the code word “golden” to identify these applicants.
[Related: State troopers indicted in CDL test bribery scheme]
The indictment alleged Butner gave passing scores to applicants, about whom he texted the following comments to a co-conspirator:
“This guys a mess. . . . Lol. He owes u a prime rib 6inch.”
“Golden mess. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣”
“He’s a mess Class A truck 2psi loss with truck running truck cut our again while timing 🤣🤣🤣🤣”
“Total mess this guy[.] i think some time[s] we should just do what we can but not golden. I’ll tell you about it later.”
In addition to the false records conspiracy, Butner will also plead guilty on three counts of falsifying records, aiding and abetting, by giving passing scores to three applicants who failed the CDL test, and five counts of making false statements by giving passing scores to five applicants who did not take the test at all.
On March 21, a civilian co-defendant, Eric Mathison, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion.
All CDL recipients identified as not qualified during the course of this investigation have been reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
The conspiracy charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a maximum fine of $250,000. Records falsification charges each come with a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a maximum fine of $250,000. False statements charges could each carry five-year prison sentences, up to three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
[Related: CDL testing scheme: School owner gets five years for bribery]
Truck parking funding bill back with 31 bipartisan co-sponsors
A bipartisan group of lawmakers earlier this year reintroduced legislation that would address the shortage of truck parking across the United States by providing $755 million over a five-year period in grants to states, municipalities and other entities.
U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Illinois) reintroduced the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act in the House, along with Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minnesota), Pete Stauber (R-Minnesota) and Salud Carbajal (D-California). The bill was reintroduced on Feb. 27 and as of April 2 has 31 co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle.
Bost noted that the legislation “addresses the dangerous, nationwide shortage in safe, accessible parking spaces for large commercial trucks by providing U.S. Department of Transportation funding on a competitive basis for the construction of new lots and spaces.”
The bill specifically prohibits pay-to-park structures for spaces funded by the bill.
[Related: Freight markets and fraud, predatory towing to pay-to-park: Small-biz trucking challenges]
“I grew up in a family trucking business,” said Bost. “I know firsthand how difficult, and oftentimes dangerous, it can be when America’s truckers are forced to push that extra mile in search of a safe place to park. By expanding access to parking options for truckers, we are making our roads safer for all commuters and ensuring that goods and supplies are shipped to market in the most efficient way possible. This is a matter of public safety for everyone; and I’m committed to do all I can to drive this legislation over the finish line.”
Trucking organizations have long supported efforts to pass the legislation. Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said the “lack of safe truck parking has been a top concern of truckers for decades,” adding that “when truckers don’t have a safe place to park, we are put in a no-win situation. We must either continue to drive while fatigued or out of legal driving time, or park in an undesignated and unsafe location like the side of the road or abandoned lot. It forces truck drivers to make a choice between safety and following federal Hours-of-Service rules.”
American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear on Thursday said addressing truck parking is “one of the most meaningful ways Congress can show its support for America’s professional truck drivers. …”The chronic lack of truck parking poses an unacceptable risk to both truckers and the nation’s motoring public. Congress must step in to provide a solution.”
Both groups highlighted the fact that for every 11 truck drivers on the road, there is just one parking spot.
[Related: Get $755 million truck parking bill across the finish line: Truckers to Congress]
Volumes, rates rise in spot market: Vans, reefers finally join flatbeds | The week's spot market snapshot and accompanying commentary from FTR Transportation Intelligence and Truckstop showed positive indicators broadening out to include not just flatbeds but dry vans and reefers, too. Reefer rates increased from what had been the lowest rates since June 2020 for the prior week's average. Dry van spot rates rose after falling to only about 2 cents above rates during that month. Flatbed spot rates increased for a seventh straight week, continuing generally strong performance for the year -- average rates sat at the highest level seen since June 2023; flatbed load volume was the strongest since June 2022. FTR analysts continued in wait-and-see mode as to whether increased spot flatbed volumes are mostly explained by "pull-forwards of equipment and metals imports to avoid tariffs. ... If so, we would expect some moderation soon."Truckstop/FTR
Pilot details Q1 expansion
Pilot Travel Centers started 2025 by expanding across its network, including unveiling a more than 20,000-square-foot flagship store, widespread store modernizations, and expanded services. The company likewise signaled connections for EV charging stations along national and regional travel corridors.
"Expanding into new communities and modernizing our locations are key to our strategy," said Brad Anderson, chief operating officer at Pilot. "Each new location and remodel reflects our ambition to be the leading energy and experience provider, equipping drivers with everything they need to recharge and hit the road ready for what’s next.”
The company’s new flagship store, in Stanton, Tennessee, spans more than 20,000 square feet and is now the largest travel center in the company’s network. It features a bolder brand-forward design, a guest-focused layout with inviting spaces and expanded fresh food offerings. The design of this location will inspire future projects throughout 2025 as Pilot continues to modernize and test new concepts.
Additionally, so far this year the company has completed 11 remodels, extensively upgrading restrooms and showers, expanding kitchens and implementing new layouts to create a more consistent experience for guests and team members.
These recently remodeled locations include:
- Pilot #200 -- Boron, California
- Pilot #365 -- Madera, California
- Pilot #575 -- St. Mary’s, Georgia
- Pilot #495 -- Brooklyn, Iowa
- Pilot #595 -- Marion, Illinois
- Pilot #41 -- Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
- Flying J #676 -- Gulfport, Mississippi
- Pilot #7976 -- Troutman, North Carolina
- Flying J #852 -- Lancaster, Ontario
- Flying J #789 -- London, Ontario
- Flying J #790 -- Napanee, Ontario
Pilot is also broadening its network, opening its first new travel center of the year in Winfield, Alabama, and adding three locations to its Pilot and One9 travel center network. These locations add more than 150 truck parking spaces to Pilot’s network and offer complete travel center services and amenities. In addition, the company opened five new maintenance and tire service shops during Q1, bringing the total number of Southern Tire Mart at Pilot locations to more than 80 nationwide.
Finally, Pilot’s EV network now has more than 130 locations in more than 25 states.
In the company’s myRewards Plus app during April, truck drivers can activate PushForPoints within the app to earn up to five points per gallon after just six qualifying fills of 50 or more gallons of commercial diesel. Guests can also indulge in Pilot’s pizza by purchasing two slices to receive a free 20 oz. Coca-Cola product.
[Related: Pilot celebrated more than 100 store remodels in 2023 alone]
