In a recent CNBC interview, Andrew Boyle, co-president of Boyle Transportation, discussed the recent rollout of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Boyle Transportation is working with UPS to distribute the vaccine. Boyle was interviewed on the Worldwide Exchange program with Dominic Chu.
From Transport Topics.
Though the loss of revenue from gasoline taxes ultimately caused a steep decline in funding streams that states badly need, the financial picture from diesel tax revenue generated by trucking looks less bleak. That’s because when others stayed home and avoided filling up their tanks, truckers kept hauling and purchasing diesel — pumping money into states’ accounts.
Read the full article at Transport Topics.
From Heavy Duty Trucking online.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published an interim final rule clarifying agricultural commodity and livestock definitions in hours-of-service regulations.
During harvesting and planting seasons as determined by each state, drivers transporting agricultural commodities, including livestock, are exempt from the HOS requirements from the source of the commodities to a location within a 150-air-mile radius from the source. In addition, the requirement for a 30-minute rest break does not apply to drivers transporting livestock in interstate commerce.
However, the agency found that the definition of those terms was not well-understood and enforced consistently when determining whether the HOS exemption applies.
The clarifications will primarily affect transporters of perishable horticultural commodities, non-processed food, and aquatic animals.
FMCSA has announced that they have expanded and extended the Emergency Declaration that was set to expire on December 31st. A PDF of the declaration is available online here. This extension includes the same regulatory relief for motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance in support of relief efforts related to COVID-19, as included in the September 11th modified and extended declaration. The primary change with this current declaration is the inclusion of vaccine transportation.
The expanded declaration published today is limited to the transportation of:
Please note, this expanded declaration became effective at 12:00 A.M. December 1st, and expires on February 28th, 2021.
As with previous declarations, emergency regulatory relief is provided from parts 390 through 399 of the FMCSRs, including the hours-of-service regulations. Emergency relief does not include certain FMCSR’s related to the safe operation of CMVs, such as controlled substance and alcohol testing, financial responsibility requirements, CDL requirements, operation of a CMV while ill or fatigued, size and weight requirements, and additional FMCSR’s which are outlined in the declaration.
We encourage everyone to review the applicability, restrictions, and limitations which are included in the exemption posted to the FMCSA’s website.
From the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an additional waiver for Commercial Driver License (CDL) Medical Certificates (also known as a medical card). This waiver extends the expiration date of CDL Medical Certificates as follows:
Affected customers will receive an email from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) informing them of the extension. These customers must self-certify, which can be done through the RMV’s Online Service Center, prior to the expiration dates listed above or their CDL will be downgraded to a Class D license.
Additional RMV Information
The RMV has updated their COVID-19 Information website. This includes temporary Greenfield Service Center changes and additional drop-off centers.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has again extended its emergency declaration relaxing hours-of-service rules for motor carriers that are providing direct assistance in support of COVID-related relief efforts.
The emergency declaration 2020-002 – originally set to expire on Sept. 14 – has been extended to Dec. 31, 2020, and applies to all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The updated declaration is posted on the FMCSA website, and is available as a downloadable PDF.
On Aug. 11, the FMCSA extended – and modified – the emergency declaration that was set to expire on Aug. 14. The modified declaration provides regulatory relief for motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance in support of relief efforts related to COVID-19, and has been expanded to included emergency restocking of distribution centers and stores.
Specifically, the declaration is limited to the transportation of:
Please note, this modified declaration is not effective until 12:01 a.m. ET Aug. 15, and expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Sept. 14, 2020.
Under this declaration, emergency regulatory relief is provided from parts 390 through 399 of the FMCSRs, including the hours-of-service regulations. Emergency relief does not include certain FMCSRs related to the safe operation of CMVs, such as controlled substance and alcohol testing, financial responsibility requirements, CDL requirements, operation of a CMV while ill or fatigued, size and weight requirements, and additional FMCSRs which are outlined in the declaration.
We encourage everyone to review the applicability, restrictions, and limitations which are included in the exemption posted to the FMCSA’s website.
A PDF copy of the declaration is available for download as a PDF.
From Transport Topics.
While the medical community works overtime developing a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus, transportation and logistics companies are hard at work on strategies to ship it safely around the world once it is ready.
Some optimistic projections suggest that could happen by year’s end, so transportation companies want to be ready. Officials from corporations involved in that planning tell Transport Topics that the scope of the effort is unprecedented.
For example, UPS is building two freezer farms — one at its air hub in Louisville, Ky., another in Venlo, Netherlands — that the company said will store millions of vials of a vaccine at temperatures as low as minus 80 degrees Celsius, or minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit.
Read the full article on the Transport Topics website.
The Eastern Transportation Coalition (formerly the I-95 Corridor Coalition) asked TAM to pass on their letter of appreciation to our industry for the risks and challenges faced by truckers. They want to recognize your commitment to move goods efficiently and safely during this time. The Coalition’s Executive Board is made up of the Secretaries and Commissioners of Northeast State DOTs, including Stephanie Pollack, Secretary and CEO. Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
The text of the letter is included below, but you can download the PDF with signatories listed.
Dear Kevin:
As the nation’s supply chains face unprecedented challenges related to COVID-19, one of the most critical factors has been the ability to meet customer and public health needs in a reliable and timely manner. While each modal component of the transportation system has been an important player during this time, the trucking industry has been at the very heart of it.
On any day, but certainly over these last several months and continuing, the industry collectively and truck drivers specifically, ensure that critical supplies reach the doors of America’s businesses, homes, and medical facilities. The drivers have accomplished this not only with great diligence and dedication, but often with great personal sacrifice.
The undersigned, as the Executives of our respective state agencies and comprising the Board of the Eastern Transportation Coalition, give recognition and thanks for the outstanding professionalism and commitment of the trucking industry and its hard-working and dedicated individuals during this time. The Coalition, a partnership of State Departments of Transportation and related agencies, acknowledge and appreciate the role that the truck drivers and the trucking industry play every day in the well-being of our states’ and the national economy. With trucks carrying a significant portion of the 6.5 billion tons of freight moving in our corridor annually, this event has shown an even greater emphasis and importance to that role.
As we move ahead on the road to recovery from COVID-19, please extend our sincere gratitude to your industry members – the companies and the dedicated drivers. As our individual states and as the Eastern Transportation Coalition collectively, we will reach out to you and your members to discuss how to further support the critical role the trucking industry plays in moving goods in this corridor and throughout the nation.
Sincerely,
Patricia Hendren, Executive Director, TETCoalition
Jennifer Cohan, Secretary, Delaware DOT Russell McMurry, Commissioner, Georgia DOT
Gregory Slater, Secretary, Maryland DOT
Kevin Thibault, Secretary, Florida DOT
Bruce Van Note, Commissioner, Maine DOT
John R. Cooper, Director, Alabama DOT
Joseph Giulietti, Commissioner, Connecticut DOT
Stephanie Pollack, Secretary, Massachusetts DOT
Diane Scaccetti, Commissioner, New Jersey DOT
Marie Therese Dominguez, Comm, NY State DOT
Eric Boyette, Secretary, North Carolina DOT
Yassmin Gramian, Secretary, Pennsylvania DOT
Christy Hall, Secretary, South Carolina DOT
Clay Bright, Commissioner, Tennessee DOT
Joe Flynn, Secretary, Vermont AOT
Stephen Brich, Commissioner, Virginia DOT
Shannon Valentine, Secretary, Virginia DOT
From Transport Topics.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell predicted Congress will pass one final coronavirus rescue package later this month and appealed to everyone in public life to urge people to wear masks to control the spread. …
McConnell said he’s “pretty sure” that a bill will come together in the next couple of weeks. He said it will be crafted in his office with consultation from the administration and then negotiated with Democrats, who endorsed a $3.5 trillion package approved by the House in May. Senate Republicans have dismissed that plan and are discussing a package of as much as $1 trillion in total spending.
Read the full post at Transport Topics online.