The Daily Dash: Buttigieg supports raising fuel taxes; a truck driver’s life-or-death decision

A freight lull seems to have descended on the market; Transfix unveils TMS

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary nominee Pete Buttigieg acknowledged on Thursday that raising the federal gas tax will be one of the options to fund “major investments” needed for highway infrastructure. (Photos: Gage Skidmore & Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

The Daily Dash is a quick look at what is happening in the freight ecosystem. In today’s edition, the debate over infrastructure investment is sure to heat up as President Joe Biden’s Transportation Secretary nominee, Pete Buttigieg, has said raising fuel taxes is an option. Plus, a truck driver was forced to make a life-or-death decision, and a January freight lull may have finally arrived.

Paying for infrastructure

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary nominee Pete Buttigieg acknowledged on Thursday that raising the federal gas tax will be one of the options to fund “major investments” needed for highway infrastructure.

John Gallagher has more from Buttigieg’s confirmation hearing: Buttigieg: Raising gas tax ‘on the table’ to pay for infrastructure

A driving hero

Truck driver Morgan Kirkland had a choice to make. The decision he made may have saved several lives.

Nick Austin has Kirkland’s story: Truck driver honored for preventing potentially deadly crash

Has the January lull hit?

FreightWaves’ SONAR data is indicating that the freight markets may be hitting their traditional January lull. That lull, though, may be better than ever.

Andrew Cox has details: Freight markets need another source of demand

Targeting small, midsize shippers

Transfix has released a transportation management system for small and midsize shippers, continuing a trend in which digital freight brokers expand their reach with software targeting carriers and shippers.

Linda Baker has more on the new product: Transfix launches TMS for small businesses

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FreightWaves Truck Talk: Clearing the air edition

Did you miss this?

The less-than-truckload carriers got another bull in their camp on Tuesday when UBS (NYSE: UBS) freight transportation analyst Tom Wadewitz initiated coverage on the sector with a favorable outlook.

Todd Maiden offers details: Interest in LTL industry gains momentum

Hammer down, everyone,

Brian Straight

Managing Editor

Click for more FreightWaves articles by Brian Straight.

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Brian Straight

Brian Straight leads FreightWaves' Modern Shipper brand as Managing Editor. A journalism graduate of the University of Rhode Island, he has covered everything from a presidential election, to professional sports and Little League baseball, and for more than 10 years has covered trucking and logistics. Before joining FreightWaves, he was previously responsible for the editorial quality and production of Fleet Owner magazine and fleetowner.com. Brian lives in Connecticut with his wife and two kids and spends his time coaching his son’s baseball team, golfing with his daughter, and pursuing his never-ending quest to become a professional bowler. You can reach him at bstraight@freightwaves.com.