Mexico program extended
Journal 14 Commercial Carrier Journal September 2008 n Peters on July 29 unveiled the Bush administration's proposal to fight con-gestion through a reform of highway and transit programs. In addition to streamlining government programs, the plan encourages tolls and private highway investment. Many of the plan's elements reflect recommenda-tions included in a National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission report issued in January. For more information, visit www.fight-gridlocknow.gov. n the second annual Mike Russell Good stuff Trucking Image Award. The American Trucking Associations award honors companies that creatively implement the Good stuff. Trucks Bring It. campaign in order to gener-ate positive awareness of the trucking industry. For more information, go to www.trucksbringit.com. n last month said it supports a bipartisan comprehensive energy bill (H.R. 6709) that calls for offshore oil drilling and exploration of oil shale reserves; tax incentives for use of alternative fuels; and increased investment in develop-ing energy conservation technologies. H.R. 6709 had 130 co-sponsors as of late August. n Index rose 0.1 percent in June from its May level, rising for the second con-secutive month, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported. For the first six months of 2008, the freight index advanced 2.9 percent. n Goodyear is accepting nomina-tions through Nov. 30 for the 26th in brief M otor carriers authorized in the past year for operations between the United States and Mexico could operate another two years under a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration notice published in the Aug. 6 . The program, which began Sept. 6, 2007, allows Mexican trucks to begin traveling beyond a 25-mile zone into the U.S. interior. U.S. carriers in the pilot program can operate into Mexico. While FMCSA Administrator John Hill called the program a success, he said a number of potential companies have been unwilling to invest the time and resources necessary to participate due to uncertainties concerning the project's longevity. We intend this extension to reassure trucking companies that they will have sufficient time to realize a return on their investment, and we anticipate additional participation with this extra time, Hill said. To date, the project has shown that U.S. and Mexican carriers can engage in cross-border trucking operations in compliance with applicable laws and with no compromise to public safety or security, Hill said. In fact, Mexican trucks and drivers have established compliance rates equal or better to those of U.S. trucks and drivers. FMCSA doesn't have much data, however. As of July 14, 27 Mexican car-riers operating 101 trucks and 10 U.S. carriers operating 52 trucks were approved for the crossborder program. Another 30 Mexican carriers have successfully passed a pre-authorization safety audit and could receive autho-rization if they file proof of financial responsibility, FMCSA says. Opponents cry foul FMCSA's announcement came just after Congress adjourned for its usual August recess. On July 10, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a transportation appropriations bill (H.R. 3621) that would stop funding for the program in the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. And several days before the August recess, the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved legislation (H.R. 6630) to terminate the pilot program at the end of the original one-year duration and require that DOT Mexico program extended Foes criticize timing of agency's action Transportes Olympic, based in Apodoca, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, was the first Mexican carrier to receive authority to operate under the crossborder pilot program. (Continued of page 16) (Continued of page 16)