Trucking news and briefs for Friday, June 20, 2025:
Schneider honors 220 drivers for safety achievements
30 Schneider drivers were inducted into the company's Haul of Fame on June 12, honoring those with 3 million safe driving miles or 20 consecutive years of accident-free driving.Schneider
Schneider (CCJ Top 250, No. 6) last week celebrated the safety achievements of 220 drivers.
Schneider travels more than 9 million freight miles every day. Its drivers ensure essential goods are delivered across the country, demonstrating their commitment to safety day in and day out, the company said. Their dedication has enabled Schneider to achieve significant reductions in United States Department of Transportation reportable accidents, attaining an all-time low accident frequency in 2024 and showcasing its safety leadership within the industry.
This year, the company recognized and rewarded the exceptional contributions of its drivers who have helped keep the roads safe:
- 98 drivers received the Consecutive Safe Driving Award, celebrating 10 or more consecutive years without a preventable accident or significant lost-time injury
- 92 drivers earned the Million Mile Award for transporting freight over 1 million miles accident-free
- Five drivers reached the incredible milestone of 4 million safe miles
- Greg Swift became only the third driver in Schneider history to reach 5 million safe miles
- 30 drivers were inducted into the prestigious Haul of Fame on June 12, honoring those with 3 million safe driving miles or 20 consecutive years of accident-free driving
“These achievements represent more than just milestones – they highlight the strong commitment of Schneider drivers who continually set the standard for safety in our industry,” said Schneider President and CEO Mark Rourke. “Their professionalism and focus on safe operations, every mile and every day for decades, are what truly set them apart.”
[Related: Schneider celebrates 90th anniversary]
HTL Freight acquires California-based brokerage
Third-party logistics provider HTL Freight has acquired TS3 Logistics, a California-based freight brokerage with specialized expertise in temperature-controlled and LTL reefer transportation.
This marks HTL’s fifth acquisition in four years and represents a strategic step in the company’s expansion into high-value, niche logistics services and broader geographic coverage, the company said.
TS3 Logistics has earned a reputation for service, reliability, and reefer know-how, particularly in California’s Central Valley. With this acquisition, HTL Freight expands its capabilities in time- and temperature-sensitive transportation, unlocking significant cross-selling opportunities across HTL’s diverse customer base.
“This acquisition reflects the deliberate, strategic approach we’ve taken to build the best-in-class freight brokerage we envisioned from the beginning,” said Onu Okebie, CEO of HTL Freight. “In just four years, we’ve executed five targeted acquisitions, each one adding strength in key service modalities, geographic presence, and operational depth. This move expands us into the critical temperature-controlled freight sector while establishing a stronghold on the West Coast to complement our reach across the Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, and Southwest.”
TS3 Logistics Founder and CEO Tyler Sullivan, along with his leadership team at TS3, will remain in place post-acquisition and take on key leadership roles at HTL Freight. As shareholders in the combined company, they are committed to driving future growth and delivering top-tier service for national and regional shippers.
Relay Payments expands into truck service
Relay Payments, a digital payments provider in trucking, is broadening its offerings to cover another essential category of over-the-road expenses -- truck service, repair and maintenance.
Through new partnerships with Southern Tire Mart at Pilot (STMP), Boss Truck Shops, and AMBEST Service Centers, Relay customers can now pay with Relay at service and repair locations across the U.S.
The company said this will allow fleets and drivers to leverage Relay's platform for not only fuel, lumpers, and scales, but also for essential service, repair, tow, and preventive maintenance.
"No fleet or driver enjoys maintenance stops, so making the process simpler and more affordable is a game-changer," said Jake England, Director, Boss Truck Shops. "We're excited to bring our industry-leading service and technical expertise to Relay's customers, provide them industry leading discounts, and help them get back on the road quickly."
With Relay's mobile app, customers can locate service centers along their routes. The platform's integration with these partners' extensive truck service networks provides drivers with access to high-quality service, wherever they are, Relay noted. Paying with Relay not only makes the payment process seamless with any pre-negotiated discounts carriers may have, but also unlocks new cost savings and an elevated driver experience.
"Launching Service, Maintenance, and Repairs is a major milestone towards our mission of becoming an end-to-end payment network for the trucking industry," said Ryan Droege, Relay co-founder and CEO. "By introducing acceptance of Relay at service locations along with discounted repairs, we're not only lowering operating costs for our customers but also creating greater efficiencies by consolidating all over-the-road expenses in one platform."
Trucking company owners plead guilty to pandemic loan fraud
An Ohio couple who were owners or associates of multiple transportation companies pleaded guilty recently to committing wire fraud to obtain pandemic relief funds.
Ajay Chawla, 60, and his wife, Ruhi Chawla, 50, admitted that they fraudulently received more than $900,000 in pandemic relief funds. Specifically, they received four Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loans and three Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
According to their court documents, on their loan applications, the Chawlas falsely reported the number of employees and gross revenues for their businesses: Prime Transportation and Logistics Inc., ABC Trucking Inc., Apex Truck Lines LLC and A1 Diesel Truck Repair LLC. Ajay Chawla also submitted a false statement to Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regarding the ownership of Apex Truck Lines.
“Today’s guilty pleas underscore our steadfast commitment to identifying and addressing fraud that undermines the integrity of Department of Transportation programs and requirements,” said Anthony Licari, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Midwestern Region. “Greed has no place in pandemic relief programs, and together with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will continue to hold offenders accountable.”
The couple were charged in March 2025. Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
