The expansion of these services would allow states to bring in more money and possibly help keep rest areas open as parking options for truckers, FHWA says.
The National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO), however, says expanding commercial services at rest areas, including even vending machine services, threatens to undercut truck stops and other off-highway businesses. The group wants FHWA to keep the existing rules in place that limit the services states are allowed to provide at rest areas.
“FHWA should not permit any food sales at interstate rest areas that undercut highway-based businesses and localities,” said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. “Congress enacted the ban on rest area commercialization to avoid state-approved monopolies on the Interstate System as well as to protect off-highway businesses and localities. The underlying purpose behind the general ban on offering automotive and other commercial services on the interstate right-of-way remains as strong today as it was when the legislation was first enacted.”
Driver advocacy groups, however, filed comments saying if the expansion of services helps keep rest areas open — and their parking spaces available to truckers — then the services should be allowed.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association says FHWA should consider options that would make rest areas “as financially viable and self-sufficient as possible.” OOIDA says it realizes expanding these services could impact truck stops, but it says FHWA should prioritize both private and public options that increase parking capacity along interstates.
Online radio show Truth About Trucking saysallowing states to promote and sell their agricultural products at rest areas, which was one of FHWA’s possible solutions in its notice, would not only bring more revenue to the states, but it would also give truckers healthier options when stopping at one of these locations.
