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I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year as we say good bye to 2016 and move forward into the New Year. Wow! What a year it has been for trucking and politics alike. The past election in many ways was like non we have ever seen and as we prepare for President Elect Donald Trump to enter the White House in January, we are sure to experience some new changes with the newly appointed administration.
This year was slow in regards to growth for freight carriers which is common during an election year. President Elect Donald Trump has proposed a $1 trillion program over the next decade to repair and replace roads and bridges. If properly executed, this would promote safe and more efficient use of our transportation system. Also, with the new expansion of the Panama Canal, industry experts are predicting a shift in international freight shipping from the West Coast, East Coast and Gulf Coast of the United States.
For as long as I can remember, the issue of Electronic On Board Recorders has been debated in our industry for a long time. Even the name has changed over a period of time. We went from EOBR’s to the Electronic Logging Device (ELD). This issue has been in the court system and has caused much division within the trucking industry. As we close out 2016, the decision has been made that all trucks manufactured 2000 model year or newer must comply with the new mandated law that requires trucks to be operational including the Electronic Logging Device. This new rule, unless overturned will take effect on December 18, 2017. In my opinion, this change rivals the effects of deregulation which took place back in 1980.
Looking forward to 2017, I am excited about the new Freightliner Cascadia which debuted on Colorado Springs in September of this year. The truck will be available for purchase in early 2017. I will be receiving the new truck in February or early March as soon as it’s completed. It was certainly a pleasure to drive the new Cascadia early this year in Portland, Oregon. With it’s all new added features and advertised up to 8% increase fuel efficiency over current Cascadia models, to say that I am excited is an understatement. As I drive the new truck throughout the coming year, I look forward to sharing with you my fuel mileage results as well as the comforts and added new features on the truck. For more information on the new Cascadia, please click the picture below.
Again, I want to wish each of you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!
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