Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025:
FMCSA extends regional emergency for fuel haulers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Monday extended and modified its Regional Emergency Declaration that was issued earlier this month in response to winter storms, extreme cold temperatures and high demand for fuel.
The declaration originally included the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. The modified and extended declaration includes 39 states and D.C. The states that are no longer included in the declaration are: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio.
The original declaration waived the maximum driving time hours-of-service regulations in 49 CFR 395.3 for motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts transporting heating fuel, including propane, natural gas, and heating oil in the covered states. It was set to expire Jan. 31.
FMCSA said it received requests to extend the Emergency Declaration through Feb. 15 and modify the declaration to include the transportation of gasoline and diesel fuel.
The modified declaration now covers motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts transporting heating fuel, including propane, natural gas, and heating oil, and gasoline and diesel fuel into the affected states.
[Related: Heating fuel haulers nationwide get hours of service relief]
Arizona launches I-10 Truck Parking Availability System near rest areas
The Arizona Department of Transportation has installed electronic signs to alert truck drivers to how many parking spaces are available at I-10 rest areas in western and southeastern Arizona.
The real-time information provided through the Truck Parking Availability System (TPAS) helps truckers get the rest they need without having to use places that aren’t designated for truck parking, ADOT said.
ADOT installed the $2.8 million system at the eastbound and westbound Ehrenberg and Bouse Wash rest areas between the Valley and California and at the Texas Canyon and San Simon rest areas serving both directions of I-10 in southeastern Arizona.
Monitoring systems track available parking and share that information to electronic signs and third-party sources used by truck drivers. The information also will be added to the Arizona Traveler Information website at az511.gov.
The Truck Parking Availability System is part of a $13.7 million initiative spearheaded by the I-10 Corridor Coalition, through which Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas promote safer and more efficient travel for both people and freight. The system provides truck drivers with information on more than 550 parking spots across California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
It’s part of a larger ADOT effort to provide more truck parking around the state. The Statewide Truck Implementation Parking Plan has proposed 842 parking spaces that include expanding existing parking at rest areas and three new lots for truck parking. That plan includes $32 million in funding to add 370 spaces at I-10 Burnt Wells Rest Area near Tonopah, I-40 Meteor Crater Rest Area near Winslow and a new at I-10 and State Route 186 west of Willcox.
ADOT has expanded truck parking at two rest areas since 2019, nearly doubling truck parking by adding 56 spaces to the Meteor Crater Rest Area on I-40 between Flagstaff and Winslow, along with adding 38 new spaces to the Haviland Rest area on I-40 west of Kingman.
[Related: Safe truck parking availability critical to retain women truck drivers]
Ship.Cars offering free trial for carriers
Ship.Cars, a provider of auto logistics technology solutions, has announced new ways to utilize its popular car hauling platform. Now, carriers can explore the company’s transportation management system (TMS) with a 14-day free trial or a special starter plan subscription that includes 25 loads per month.
With rising operational expenses, complex regulations, and tight timelines, today's truckers need simple and cost-effective technology solutions to remain competitive, the company said. This new pricing plan from Ship.Cars makes it easier for carriers to take advantage of modern tools that can optimize routes, improve load management, and increase efficiency.
“The auto logistics and transportation market is dynamic,” said Eftim Eftimov, President of Ship.Cars. “Carriers are faced with a myriad of challenges, including finding smarter ways to reduce costs and maximize revenue. We listened to their concerns and created plans to accommodate everyone from newly registered carriers to large companies with multiple drivers and dispatchers.”
The new Ship.Cars carrier plans focus on flexibility, convenience, and affordability. Both the 14-day trial and starter plan offer carriers priority access to loads from VIP shippers like Montway Auto Transport and America’s Auto Auction Group via the Market Load Board.
With the 14-day trial, new users can ully explore the platform with unlimited loads and drivers, along with access to the Market Load Board and exclusive features like Load Scout, private load board, and ETA notifications. During the 14-day period, carriers will be able to subscribe to any paid plan or continue with a free plan that includes three loads per month once the trial ends.
The starter plan offers a flat monthly fee and includes 25 loads along with access to the Market Load Board, auto-invoicing, ETA notifications, reporting, carrier profiles, document management, and more. This allows medium and large carriers to accept loads from a range of shippers while utilizing advanced features and benefits.
“We are excited to give our users more flexibility and control over their businesses,” said Eftimov. “With these new options, carriers can explore our platform at their own pace and get the most out of their experience with Ship.Cars.”
RaceTrac, RaceWay now accepting 10-4 by WEX
Truck drivers have a new way to pay for fuel at RaceTrac and RaceWay locations, as the locations will now accept payments from the 10-4 by WEX mobile app.
10-4 by WEX was introduced in October with acceptance at a number of truck stops, including those in the networks of AMBEST, Road Ranger, Sapp Bros., Love’s Travel Stops, and the 7FLEET Diesel Network (Speedway, Stripes, and 7-Eleven).
This cardless payment service is available at all travel centers and extended diesel offering (EDO) stores, offering an accessible and innovative option tailored to the needs of independent owner-operators, the company said. The 10-4 by WEX app provides a mobile-based platform that allows drivers to pay for fuel securely and efficiently without the need for a physical card. The platform offers nationwide diesel discounts to independent, small business and large enterprise truckers.
Unlike traditional fleet cards, 10-4 by WEX does not require a credit check, making it a practical alternative for owner-operators who may face barriers to obtaining other payment options. Users simply upload the debit or credit card of their choice and start saving with no transaction fees.
“The 10-4 by WEX app is an efficient solution for many of our professional driver guests, including independent owner-operators and other small trucking operations,” said Nick LaFalce, Fleet Marketing Manager for RaceTrac and RaceWay. “With an expanding variety of payment methods at the pump, we hope to gain loyal customers and offer frictionless transactions with instant savings at the pump for all professional drivers -- in whatever ways work best for their business.”
The 10-4 by WEX mobile app is free and available in the Google Play Store or the App Store.
