March 19, 2015: Trucks ruled U.S.-NAFTA freight in 2014; Seattle wants $900 million more for transpo; FedEx dismisses “Uber for freight.”
March 19, 2015
Here is a look at what is happening in the world of transportation this morning:
- Although trucks carried almost three-fifths of U.S.-NAFTA freight last year – some 59.9% for 2014 overall– the industry’s share of that volume is down by 3.7 percentage points compared to 2004, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
- Oil prices continue to fall as an oversupply of crude continues to grow worldwide, notes Reuters.
- Seattle’s mayor wants residents to fork over an extra $900 million to pay for transportation needs, says The Seattle Times.
- Fifty years ago today a truck driver sacrificed himself in what became known as the “Banana truck crash” to ensure no other motorists or pedestrians got hurt, reports WNEP 16.
- Is the midsize pickup truck category more marketing “myth” than reality? An article in Bloomberg contends that’s the case.
- Business Insider thinks a Volkswagen-built pickup truck would be a good addition to the U.S. market.
- Ohio’s state senate passes a $7 billion transportation bill that includes a hike in interstate speeds up to 75 mph, reports the Youngstown Vindicator.
- A Connecticut state transportation committee approves electronic tolling for roadways within the Constitution State, notes CBS New York.
- Fred Smith, FedEx Corp.’s founder and chief executive, tells the Wall Street Journal that “Uber for freight” poses no threat to the current package delivery system.
