Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA)

TIA has joined the Harbor Truckers for Sustainable Future to oppose the San Pedro Bay Clean Air Action Plan that was adopted by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in November 2006. Under the plan, only concessionaires that are licensed by the ports operating clean trucks would be permitted to enter the terminals without having to pay a new truck impact gate fee.

TIA believes that this plan may force more than 16,000 independent truckers to give up their trucks and become employees of a small number of larger trucking firms who will be recognized as port concessionaires. In addition, TIA takes the stance that more than 1,300 small drayage carriers may go out of business as a result of the San Pedro Bay Clean Air Action Plan.

TIA Endorses ATA Policy on Privatization of Toll Facilities

TIA has endorsed the American Trucking Associations (ATA) policy on privatization of toll facilities. According to the policy, TIA opposes the lease or sale of toll roads, bridges or tunnels to private parties for the purpose of funding highway infrastructure. For more information about the ATA policy on privatization of toll facilities, visit their Web site here .

Hours of Service Update

On Thursday, September 6, 2007, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) submitted a motion to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, asking for an eight month stay of its elimination of the 11 hour daily driving limit and the 34 hour restart provisions of the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.

The Court had ruled on July 24, 2007, that these two provisions of the HOS regulations were to be vacated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The FMCSA should be able to address the Court's concerns in a new rulemaking and the eight month time frame should give law enforcement agencies ample time to adopt to the new regulations.

The ATA's filing included affidavits and declarations from a number of companies, including TIA members, that referenced among other things, significant reductions in accident rates and reduction in fatigue related accidents.

Previously, ATA had submitted a petition to the FMCSA requesting that the agency issue an interim final rule on both the 11 hour daily limit and the 34 hour restart provision. ATA also asked that FMCSA issue an expedited notice of proposed rulemaking to address the issues raised by the Court's July decision. The Court, in its vacation of the two provisions, cited lack of supportive data from FMCSA as its justification for acting. TIA remains supportive of ATA in all current HOS efforts and is an active participant in the "Hours of Service Coalition."

Regulation Governing Filing of Proof of Financial Responsibility

On August 27, 2007, TIA submitted comments to the Federal Maritime Commission regarding the amendment to regulation governing the filing of proof of financial responsibility.

To read the comments, click here.

Texas Margin Tax

On Friday, June 15, 2007, TIA celebrated a victory as Texas Governor Rick Perry (R) signed into law HB 3928, the technical corrections bill to the new state franchise tax (margin tax). The Texas Margin Tax Coalition, which was spearheaded by members of TIA and Texas Courier and Logistics Association, was extremely successful in establishing legislative intent and new clarifications that should reduce taxes and protect our industry's concern with flow through deductions and apportionment under the new Texas Margin Tax. To find out more information about this issue and how this victory benefits TIA members, click here.

Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement

SSRS Is Gone. The Single State Registration System (SSRS) imposed on interstate regulated motor carriers was repealed by Congress effective at the beginning of 2007. There will be no SSRS program in 2007 or in future years.

Instead, all interstate motor carriers - regulated, exempt and private - as well as interstate brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies, are subject to fees under a new system, the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement, or UCRA, enacted by Congress and administered by states. States will shortly begin to require interstate carriers and others to register for the UCRA program and to pay the new fees imposed under this program.

DTCI Update

Menlo Awarded DoD Contract

Menlo Worldwide Government Services, LLC of San Mateo, CA, has been awarded a fixed price logistics contract by the U.S. Department of Defense, which is valued at $525 million for the base period of the contract. If all option periods are executed, the value of the contract could exceed $1.6 billion.

Menlo Worldwide Government Services, LLC is the third-party logistics subsidiary of Con-Way Inc. and will serve as the prime contractor for the Defense Transportation Coordinator Initiative (DTCI). As the DTCI awardee, Menlo Worldwide Government Services, LLC will provide shipment planning and transportation management and execution for the defense department in the continental U.S.

Under Phase I of the contract, Menlo Worldwide Government Services, LLC will open its first DoD distribution center in January 2008 and could open another 18 within two years.

DTCI was designed to improve the reliability and efficiency of moving material for the U.S. armed forces and was a highly competitive bid process. If all option periods are exercised, the term of the contract could extend until August 2014.

The most recent development in the Protest against DoD's combining of transportation and coordination functions in a single Defense Transportation Coordination Initiative (DTCI) is that on November 29, 2007 the GAO denied the Protest.

Click here for the November 29, 2006 update.

Click here for the Protesters' Final Comments.

Click here for the Agency Post-Hearing Comment.

Click here for the November 16, 2006 update.

Click here for the November 7, 2006 update.

Click here for the October 31, 2006 update.

Click here to view copies of all DoD and TIA filings.