Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022:
Kentucky emergency HOS waiver extended through September
As a result of ongoing emergency conditions in Kentucky due to torrential rain causing severe flooding, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended an emergency declaration suspending certain hours of service regulations for relief haulers through the end of September.
Motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to the severe weather and flooding emergency in Kentucky are exempt from 49 Code of Federal Regulations 395.3, or maximum driving time limits.
Direct assistance does not include routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of the emergency declaration, FMCSA noted.
The declaration is effective through Sept. 30, or until the emergency ends, whichever is sooner.
Saia opens new Illinois terminal
Saia Inc. (CCJ Top 250, No. 20) announced Monday that Saia LTL Freight has opened a new terminal in Franklin Park, Illinois.
The terminal will be the carrier’s fifth location in the Chicagoland area and the third facility it has opened in the state just this year.
“As the demand for shipping in Chicago, a major freight market for us, continues to grow, we’ll be able to support it,” said Saia Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Ray Ramu. “We are focused on expanding our presence in the area by multiplying our operations through increased doors, manpower, and equipment - all to better serve our customers.”
The new terminal is the largest facility Saia has opened to date this year. With 100 employees, substantial investments were made to modernize the terminal, which will support the local economy through jobs and by providing transportation services to hundreds of shippers operating throughout the customer-dense region.
Beyond this opening, there are additional terminals slated to open across the Midwest through the year end, Saia noted.
ITS Logistics announces new veterans program
ITS Logistics announced its Veterans Trucking Program, established to reward veterans for their service by counting the years of their military career towards their starting pay as a driver.
For veterans with a CDL, 100% of a veteran’s time in the military (up to 20 years) will count towards their overall driving tenure and commensurate pay level. More than 13% of the ITS truck driving workforce are military veterans who are being paid for their experience, the company said.
“Veterans are part of the culture at ITS Logistics for countless great reasons, including their logistics and operational experience in moving equipment and materials across military bases, unfamiliar foreign locales, and even active war zones,” said Ryan Martin, President of Asset Operations. “These veterans have situational awareness, mental endurance, self-discipline and are extremely dependable drivers. It’s an honor for us to provide this incentive to use their military skills to serve ITS customers.”
On Sept. 2, the ITS Logistics Veterans’ Trucking Program will be highlighted at the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit, where the new “Thank You Veterans” wrapped truck and trailer will be unveiled. The Wreaths Across America Exhibit will be on display outside Greater Nevada Field, where there will also be post-game fireworks sponsored by ITS Logistics.
