American Trucking Associations confirmed it would not try to delay federal rules aimed at cutting diesel pollution. “I can tell you without reservation that ATA does not intend to challenge EPA’s diesel engine emission standards,” ATA President Bill Graves said last month. “It is very clear to ATA and the motor carrier industry that this rule will result in significant positive impacts on the quality of our nation’s air.”
CitiCapital has agreed to sell its Transportation Finance Business to GE Commercial Finance for approximately $4.4 billion in cash. The business provides financing, leasing and asset-based lending to the trucking industry. The sale is subject to regulatory approvals and could close by the end of 2004.
Guaranteed Overnight Delivery halted its less-than-truckload operations in late October. The Newark, N.J.-based private company had operated nearly 300 tractors.
Swift Transportation named Robert Cunningham president and chief operating officer and a member of the board. The Phoenix-based carrier said that it expects Cunningham to become chief executive officer by Dec. 31, 2005. He had served as Swift’s executive vice president of sales and marketing from 1985 to 1997.
USF Corp. Chairman and CEO Richard DiStasio resigned to pursue other interests last month – 14 months after taking the helm and three months after announcing a turnaround plan. The board named Paul Liska executive chairman and Thomas Bergmann interim chief executive.
TSA postpones background checks for hazmat renewals
Transportation Security Administration last month postponed until May 31, 2005, the start date for fingerprint-based criminal background checks for the transfer and renewal of hazardous materials endorsements on commercial driver’s licenses. Background checks for drivers applying for new hazmat endorsements will begin Jan. 31, 2005, as previously scheduled.
An interim final rule published Nov. 24 made various changes to the standards related to security threat assessments of commercial truck drivers authorized to transport hazardous materials. TSA required each state to declare whether it wishes to capture and submit fingerprints, applicant information and fees itself – or have TSA complete those tasks. Fees for TSA-performed information collection will depend on the number of states that ask TSA to handle the task. (See “Background check fees could top $100.”)
