Trucking industry mulls natural gas conversion

Via TheCityWire

Rising diesel prices and a federal mandate to reduce fuel consumption is causing trucking firms — private and public — to consider the benefits of a natural gas fleet conversion.
Equipment costs and access to fueling stations have long been considered the biggest obstacles for natural gas. But that hasn’t stopped Bentonville-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc., one the nation’s largest private carriers, and United Parcel Services from tiptoeing toward conversion.

U.S. trucking industry posts biggest jump in 13 years

Via Truckline.com

ARLINGTON, VA — The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index jumped 6.8% in December after rising 0.3% in November 2011.  The latest gain put the SA index at 124.5 (2000=100) in December, up from the November level of 116.6.

National Association for Minority Truckers to Host Trucker Recognition Events

Via Trucking Info

The National Association for Minority Truckers has declared 2012 as The Year of The Trucker and will host trucker appreciation rallies, convoys and cookouts in various cities.

Women in Trucking Launches Blog

Via Trucking Info

The Women In Trucking association has created a blog in an effort to connect with its nearly 1,800 members.

Diesel Up for the First Time in Seven Weeks, Oil Fades

Via Trucking Info

The price of diesel fuel is up this week for the first time in nearly a month, rising 4.5 cents from last week to $3.828. New York crude continued its three-day slide, losing 25 cents a barrel on Monday.

Trucking adds 5,100 jobs in December

Via Overdrive Online

The for-hire trucking industry added 5,100 new payroll employees in December — the most in one month since March, according to preliminary numbers released Friday, Jan. 6, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Target Truck Goes Swimming

I like working in Transportation

I love my job. Everyday I get to speak to someone new. Most of the time the new person I am speaking to is a truck driver. I have had some really great conversations with truck drivers over the years. They have the most interesting stories.

A few weeks ago, I spoke to a truck driver named Phil. Phil was on a load for us going from New Jersey to Tennessee. He was headed home to reconnect with his daughter that he hadn't seen in 14 years. You could hear the nervousness in his voice as well as the excitement. It was one of our loads that was getting him back to TN to see his daughter for the holidays. It was very exciting for me to hear this man's story and be a part of his journey. He told me why they had been separated for so long. He also told me about the rest of his family and about his travels as a truck driver. Before I knew it, we had been talking for almost an hour. When he had eventually made it to TN from NJ, he had called me to let me know he had delivered our load as planned. I thanked him and wished him luck with his visit with his daughter. 

After the holidays were over, I was pleasantly surprised to get a call from a certain driver. It was Phil! He told me that his visit with his daughter went great! Phil has now decided to stay in TN a be a local driver so that he can be close to his daughter! 

Jordana Sutphin- Operations

Bernard Transportation Group Inc.

ph: 718-928-9900 ex 702

fx:  718-928-3889

jordana@bernardtransportation.com

Cell Phone Restrictions Now in Effect

Via TruckingInfo

Interstate truck and bus drivers are prohibited from using handheld cell phones while driving as of today, Jan. 3, under a final rule posted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

BTG: From 2011 into 2012 and Beyond....

BTG: From 2011 into 2012 and Beyond....

As we enter the new year of 2012 and as the CEO of BTG, I thought it would be important to briefly reflect on the past year regarding BTG, as well as taking a look into the future, including both our short-term and long-term goals. These thoughts and reflections will be organized into 3 submissions in an effort to keep things focused and organized.

2011 was a year which saw many changes with BTG. Although, 2011 started like the past several years, things began changing significantly at the end of the 1st quarter. From the emergence of a significant new competitor, to finally feeling the effects of a crippled economy, to the addition of new key employees in key roles, to new company goals, our work throughout 2011 has positioned us with unbelievable opportunities which should be soon realized as we move into 2012.