Today’s Pickup: Livestock ELD exemption extended

Good day,

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has formally extended an ELD waiver for livestock and insect haulers until Sept. 30, 2018, under terms of the waiver that was included in the Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.

A 90-day waiver was issued earlier this year. That waiver was set to expire on June 18, 2018. The inclusion of an extension of the waiver until the end of the fiscal year provides more time for livestock and insect haulers to comply unless FMCSA institutes a permanent exemption.

In the initial waiver request, FMCSA “determined through its preliminary analysis of the public comments submitted to the public dockets that the issues raised by transporters of agricultural commodities are more complex than those raised by other segments of the industry seeking relief from the ELD requirements and that it is appropriate to take additional time to bring these matters to closure.”

Did you know?

The average trucker wage was $38,618 annually in 1980 and if it is adjusted to the present, would be over $111,000 a year, according to Todd Spencer, president of OOIDA.

Quotable:

“It was a real eye-opener when it [UPS] split the surcharge pricing, and it does look like UPS is struggling with air volumes, perhaps on the transpacific lane in particular.”

– Cathy Morrow Robinson, head analyst at Logistics Trends & Insights, to The Loadstar on UPS raising air freight fuel surcharges

In other news:

Vehicle Miles Tax gains support, but plenty of roadblocks

Efforts to convert to a Vehicle Miles Tax to fund the Highway Trust Fund have gained support this year, but there remain many obstacles to it becoming a reality. (Inside Sources)

GM, Ford push for truce between U.S., China

General Motors and Ford are both urging U.S. and Chinese leaders to quickly settle any trade disputes before they disrupt the economy. (The Hill)

Ryder purchase of MXD shows last-mile strength

The acquisition of MXD Group by Ryder continues to highlight the importance of last-mile delivery in the trucking segment. (Journal of Commerce)

Regulatory rollback may be complete

Trucking industry stakeholders holding out hope for more regulatory rollback from the EPA may be disappointed. (CCJ)

UPS boosts air freight fuel surcharges

UPS is feeling some heat in Europe after being accused of raising air freight fuel surcharges without notifying customers. (The Loadstar)

Final Thoughts

Vehicle Miles Tax proposals have gained traction in 2018 as states look for ways to combat more fuel efficient vehicles producing less fuel tax revenue. Fuel taxes are the primary means to fund infrastructure projects. Support for a VMT tax is growing, but too many obstacles remain right now, it appears, for the proposals to be incorporated in any federal infrastructure bill.

Hammer down everyone!

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