Summary:
The Biden-Harris Administration is awarding nearly $3.5 million through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to support 27 CDL training programs. These grants aim to improve driver safety, create opportunities for veterans and underserved communities, and expand the number of well-trained CDL holders as part of a broader effort to strengthen America’s supply chains and support truck drivers.

News for You

The Biden-Harris Administration, through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is investing nearly $3.5 million in grants to 27 colleges and commercial driver’s license (CDL) training programs. This funding is part of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) Grant Program, designed to improve driver safety and create new career opportunities in the trucking industry.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted that this funding will help address the growing demand for truck drivers while preparing for the future. The grant program has three main goals: to expand the number of CDL holders with advanced safety training, to offer opportunities for veterans and their families to join the trucking or busing industry, and to increase training for individuals from rural, refugee, and underserved communities.

FMCSA Deputy Administrator Vinn White emphasized that the focus of their work is on safety, both for the roadways and for commercial motor vehicle drivers. The funding is intended to make it easier for new drivers to enter and stay in the commercial vehicle industry.

Over half of FMCSA’s annual budget goes to funding states and local communities to promote commercial motor vehicle safety. Apart from the CMVOST program, FMCSA also offers funding through the High Priority Grants Program and the Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation Grant, all contributing to the Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy.

The FMCSA is committed to preventing crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving large trucks and buses. They develop safety standards, analyze data, conduct research, and work with various stakeholders to improve commercial driver training and safety.

How This Affects You: Truck Drivers

If you’re a truck driver or considering a career in trucking, the Biden-Harris Administration’s recent funding boost could directly benefit you. For current drivers, this means access to enhanced training programs designed to improve safety skills and potentially make your job safer and more efficient.

If you are a veteran, a member of the National Guard, or from a rural or underserved community, these grants are creating pathways to enter the trucking industry. The funding helps make training more accessible, which can lower the barriers to starting a career as a commercial driver.

Overall, these initiatives are part of a broader effort to strengthen America’s supply chain by ensuring that there are enough skilled drivers on the road. By focusing on safety and providing more training opportunities, the FMCSA aims to support drivers and keep the roads safer for everyone.

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#TruckingIndustry #CDLTraining #BidenHarrisAdministration #FMCSA #DriverSafety #VeteransInTrucking #RuralCommunities #SupplyChain #RoadwaySafety #TruckingGrants #CommercialDrivers

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the American Trucking Associations released the results of its latest Driver Compensation Study showing that, despite a currently challenging freight market for motor carriers, driver wages across the industry continue to increase post-pandemic. The study provides detailed wage and benefit information for drivers based on a wide-ranging survey that collected data from 120 fleets, more than 150,000 employee drivers and 14,000 independent contractors.

Among the key findings in this year’s survey:

• Truckload drivers earned a median annual amount of $76,420 in 2023 – a 10% increase over the previous two years.
• Linehaul less-than-truckload drivers earned a median annual amount of $94,525 in 2023, while local LTL drivers earned a median of $80,680.
• Median annual compensation for drivers at private carriers has risen 12% since 2021, reaching $95,114 in 2023.
• Leased-on independent contractors for truckload carriers were paid an annual median amount of $186,016 in 2023.
• Carriers offered smaller referral and fewer sign-on bonuses for new drivers in 2023 compared to 2021 but more frequently offered tenure bonuses to their current drivers and with a greater median value.

“While our last study, conducted in 2021, illustrated how drivers benefitted from the strongest freight environment in a generation, this latest report shows professional drivers’ earnings are still rising—even in a weaker freight economy,” 

“While our last study, conducted in 2021, illustrated how drivers benefitted from the strongest freight environment in a generation, this latest report shows professional drivers’ earnings are still rising—even in a weaker freight economy,” said American Trucking Associations Chief Economist Bob Costello. “By offering greater tenure bonuses to their current driver force, many fleets appear to be shifting their workforce priorities from recruitment to retention.”

“Trucking is one of the few roads in today’s economy that lead to the middle class without requiring a college degree and the debt that comes with one,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “As this study shows, those pursuing a career as a professional truck driver will find strong earning potential in this field, which remains in high demand and will only continue to grow higher in the years to come.”

The full 2024 ATA Driver Compensation Study is available for purchase at ATABusinessSolutions.com.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight.  Follow ATA on Twitter or Facebook.  Nothing Without Trucking.

SOURCE American Trucking Associations

Summary:
Midwest Transport Inc. (MTI), a trucking company based in Illinois and contracted with the U.S. Postal Service, is closing down. Over 650 employees, including more than 480 drivers, were notified of the shutdown without a formal explanation. MTI, founded in 1980, had key terminals across several states and a fleet of 428 trucks. Safety inspections revealed a higher-than-average out-of-service rate for their trucks, and the company had recent compliance reviews but did not officially announce the closure in any states where it operated.

News for You

Midwest Transport Inc. (MTI), a trucking company based in Robinson, Illinois, and a major contractor for the U.S. Postal Service, is shutting down its operations, affecting over 650 employees, including more than 480 truck drivers. Employees were informed of the closure through phone calls from regional managers, but MTI has not issued a public statement explaining the reasons behind the decision.

An email obtained by FreightWaves indicated that MTI plans to complete all scheduled postal trips by Sunday, September 8, and that drivers should follow instructions from their load planners. Terminal and office staff were told they would receive updates as the company progresses through the shutdown.

Founded in 1980, MTI operated several key terminals in locations including Greenup, Illinois; Harmony, Pennsylvania; Memphis, Tennessee; and Tampa and Jacksonville, Florida. The company had a fleet of 428 trucks and 480 drivers, as reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Over the past 24 months, MTI’s trucks were inspected 244 times, with 65 trucks being placed out of service, resulting in a 27% out-of-service rate, which is higher than the industry average of 22%.

However, the drivers themselves had a better record, with 564 inspections and only 16 drivers being placed out of service, resulting in a nearly 3% out-of-service rate, which is significantly lower than the industry average of 7%. Despite these statistics, MTI had reported 21 injuries and 42 vehicles needing to be towed over the past two years.

The FMCSA’s SAFER database indicated that MTI was cited for violations related to controlled substances, alcohol, and driver fitness. The company underwent two compliance reviews in July but still had active operating authorities at the time of the closure announcement.

A former MTI driver expressed surprise over the closure, noting that despite ongoing postal contracts across the U.S., there had been recent pushes from the company for drivers to certify their log books, watch their speed, and improve on-time performance. The driver speculated that even the U.S. Postal Service might be unaware of the sudden shutdown, potentially leaving mail undelivered on Monday.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Service did not respond to requests for comments on the closure.

How This Affects You: Truck Drivers

For truck drivers, the sudden closure of MTI highlights the instability that can exist in the industry, even with long-standing companies. If you were a driver at MTI, this abrupt shutdown means an immediate loss of employment and potential challenges in quickly finding a new job, especially with specialized contracts like those with the U.S. Postal Service. Drivers who were part of MTI had been performing well compared to industry averages, so maintaining a good driving record and being proactive about certifications and safety practices can help in finding new opportunities.

For those still working in trucking, it’s important to keep an eye on your company’s financial health and operational practices. Understanding the importance of compliance and safety standards is crucial, as these can be indicators of a company’s overall stability. Always be prepared for changes in the industry by keeping your skills updated and staying informed about the companies you work for.

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#TruckingIndustry #MTIClosure #MidwestTransport #TruckDrivers #PostalService #Logistics #TruckingSafety #JobLoss #ComplianceIssues #USPSContracts #FreightNews