New Affiliate Spotlight: Coast Equipment Lending

Coast Equipment Lending, Inc. is pleased to announce its Affiliate Membership with the California Construction Trucking Association. Coast Equipment Lending, Inc. is dedicated to helping transportation companies with their financial needs. Every customer’s needs are unique so every offer we make is tailored to our customer. We know that if you don’t succeed we don’t succeed. We are in this for the long haul. Read more

Low Oil Prices Benefit Car Drivers, Yet Truckers Still Waiting for Similar Drop in Diesel Costs

As 2014 comes to an end, falling oil prices are bringing holiday cheer to both consumers and the companies that deliver goods across the globe.

An abundance of supply, thanks in part to growing U.S. oil production, has pushed prices down by about 40 percent this year, to about $69 a barrel. OPEC members recently voted not to cut their own production, and let prices find a bottom. Their hope is to drive U.S. shale oil producers–who have higher per-barrel break-even costs–out of the market. Read more

Is it Me or Did Everyone Feel Like 2014 Went By Like an Eye Blink?

The last CTN issue of 2014 is here and it’s time to bring in 2015. I could write about all the negative things that happened this past year, but you all know by now, that’s not my style. I will continue to put a positive spin on everything as usual. I always try to maintain the attitude that “positive thoughts bring positive results.” Believe me; it’s not that I’m insensitive to all the issues and dilemmas that my fellow man (and woman) have to go through, I’m just always trying to look forward to better times. Read more

Western States Tow Show – 2014, San Diego

Doug Nichols and I attended the annual Western States Tow Show on Thursday, October 9th through Saturday the 11th in San Diego. The show was very pleasant for me, now that I have been going for the past three years and getting to know the tow members. Read more

Freightliner Vocational Ride and Drive Show – 2014, LA Fairplex Pomona

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to come out to the Los Angeles Freightliner Vocational Ride and Drive event at the Pomona Fairgrounds, on October 16th. This is an event which we hope to make into an annual affair where we showcase our latest vocational Freightliner (and maybe Western Star ) trucks to our local customers. Read more

TEC Equipment – Luis Amezquita

I was recently introduced to Luis by his younger sister.

Luis invited to me to take a tour of his lot in Fontana. He has been selling used trucks for TEC for the last year. He came over from Dynamic Truck Sales after working there for three years. TEC has a variety of makes and models of all trucks, from 2008 thru 2014. Read more

SANDAG Lawsuit Gets Sandbagged

Enviros Oppose Transportation Plans that Expand Highway Infrastructure

The California Construction Trucking Association is one of many to denounce the CEQA lawsuit challenging the San Diego Association of Government’s (SANDAG) regional transportation plan (RTP) several years ago. Thanks to the efforts of many, it was possible to stave off additional challenges of regional transportation plans, but of course the challenge against SANDAG’s plan is still ongoing. However, there is some bad news about the appeal on this case. Read more

Congress Approves Funding Bill; Attached Rider Alters Federal HOS 34-hour Restart Provision

Late in the evening on December 12th, 2014 the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved an appropriations bill by a vote of 219-206 to keep government running for another year. One of the many “riders” attached to that necessary piece of legislation was a bill authored by Senator Collins (R-Maine) that would roll-back the federal hours-of-service 34-hour restart provision to its original form. Read more

California Employers Pay Highest Workers’ Comp Costs in Nation

CalChamber – November 18, 2014

The biennial study by the Oregon Department of Business and Consumer Services has confirmed that California employers pay the highest workers’ compensation costs in the nation — by a wide margin.
California has consistently ranked among the most expensive states in this workers’ compensation rate study for more than a decade; however, California has not been tagged with the No. 1 spot since 2004. Read more

CVSA Echoes Industry Calls On Removing CSA Data From Public View

Following letters to U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx by two industry coalition groups (including the CCTA) asking that FMCSA be required to limit the public availability of motor carrier safety data, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) submitted a similar letter to Mr. Foxx on November 14, 2014. Read more