Expansion of motor carrier rate bureau concerns shipper group

Expansion of motor carrier rate bureau concerns shipper group    Nasstrac, an association representing shippers that rely on less-than-truckload and small package shipments, has filed a letter with the Surface Transportation Board opposing an expedited review of a petition by the Southern Motor Carriers Rate Conference (SMC) for nationwide authority. SMC sets voluntary class rate tariffs for the Southeast and contiguous regions.
   Nasstrac said that nationwide authority for a strong rate bureau like SMC could lead to the demise of other rate bureaus and that SMC’s rate setting software, CzarLite, could become the predominant, or even the only, national bureau class rate tariff.
   “A single rate bureau could then control the trucking industry’s key baseline rates,” Nasstrac said in news release.
   Nasstrac asked the STB to conduct a public inquiry and solicit comments before making a decision.