Selected COVID-19 and trucking industry news that may impact your business.
As of May 1, 2020:
New Trucking Index Tracks Recovery From COVID-19 Shutdowns, Shows Volumes Bottomed
AJOT
A new index provides visibility on the state of the trucking market as anticipation of an economic restart grows. The COVID-19 Truck Freight Recovery Index shows a sharp mid-March drop that has remained stable for the past two weeks, indicating a bottoming out in the spot market. The index, a collaboration between Truckstop.com and FTR Transportation Intelligence, will allow freight professionals the ability to assess trucking activity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery from it. Read More
DOT to distribute an extra 200,000 masks directly to trucking companies
CDL Life
On April 29, DOT announced that they would donate 200,000 masks directly to motor carriers to distribute to drivers in an effort to protect their health during the COVID-19 crisis. Read More
DOT called out for gaps in truck safety, COVID-19 leadership
American Shipper
A new report from a government watchdog agency urges more action from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on truck safety oversight and in responding to pandemics such as COVID-19. Read More
‘Mayday’ protest underway at nation’s Capitol as truckers protest low rates
FreightWaves
A convoy of around 70 small-business truckers convoyed to the nation’s Capitol around 2:30 a.m. on Friday, May 1, to protest low freight rates amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
COVID-19 concerns cancel another major trucking show
CDL Life
One of the largest trucking industry events of the year has been cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 29, event organizers announced that the Great American Trucking Show (GATS) was cancelled. Read More
FreightWaves LIVE Goes Virtual: FreightWaves LIVE@Home
FreightWaves
FreightWaves LIVE is now a free virtual event being held May 5-7 showcasing the next wave of technology and fascinating insights to prepare your business for the future. FreightWaves LIVE @ HOME, will broadcast on FreightWaves TV from 9am to 4pm ET each day, offering experts who will address the latest trends affecting freight & transportation. Read More
How Truck Stops Are Serving Truckers While Keeping Them Safe
Transport Topics
The nation’s truck stop chains and travel centers are working hard to remain open and serve drivers during the coronavirus crisis, while also taking steps to ensure safety. However, services are reduced in many cases. Here’s a rundown of what Pilot Flying J, TA and Petro Stopping Centers, and Love’s are doing, with links to more information. Read More
Tyson Foods doubles COVID bonuses for drivers, frontline workers
CCJ
Tyson Foods announced it is now offering $120 million in “thank you bonuses” to more than 116,000 frontline workers, including truck drivers, up from $60 million announced in early April. Read More
Major ELD maker calls it quits due to ‘unforeseen market conditions’
CDL Life
Users of a popular Electronic Logging Device (ELD) have just a few months to find a new provider after the company says that they’ll discontinue the service. Read More