Latest Industry News Briefs Courtesy of PMTA
2025 PMTA/Great West Casualty Company Fleet Safety Awards Back to News
By Anthony Cloud, PMTA
The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA), in partnership with Great West Casualty Company, recognized outstanding safety performance in the trucking industry during the Fleet Safety Awards presentation, held at the Annual Membership Conference in Erie, PA.
Each year, the Fleet Safety Awards honor PMTA member companies that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to safe driving practices, operational excellence, and employee training. The awards are based on safety performance data, including accident frequency and miles driven, and are intended to promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement across Pennsylvania’s commercial motor vehicle industry.
As part of the ceremony, President’s Award Trophies—PMTA’s highest safety honor—were presented to Talon Logistics and Old Dominion Freight Lines for their exceptional overall safety records and leadership in fleet safety practices.
PMTA Director of Safety and Education Anthony Cloud praised this year’s honorees, stating, “These companies set the standard for safety in our industry. Their commitment to training, advanced technologies, and a strong safety culture plays a vital role in protecting Pennsylvania’s roadways.”
The awards were presented during a special ceremony as part of the Annual Membership Conference, which brought together trucking professionals, fleet managers, safety personnel, and industry leaders from across the Commonwealth.
PMTA and Great West Casualty Company congratulate all recipients of this year’s Fleet Safety Awards and thank them for their continued commitment to excellence and safety on the road.
2025 Fleet Safety Award winners:
0-5 Million Miles3rd place- Aaron Leasing; 2nd place-Sunnyside Transit; 1st plac-Klapec Trucking and Evonik Corporation
5-10 Million Miles: 3rd place-Talon Logistics; 2nd place-RC Moore; 1st place -Wegmans Food Markets
10-20 Million Miles: 3rd place -Giant; 2nd place -Ward Transportation and Logistics; 1st place Sherwin Williams Co.
Over 20 Million Miles: 3rd place -Pitt Ohio; 2nd place -Old Dominion Freight Lines; 1st place -A. Duie Pyle
Women In Motion Advocates for Infrastructure, IC Protections on Capitol Hill
Washington , DC… This week, 22 women trucking leaders from 12 states met with over three dozen congressional offices on Capitol Hill for the American Trucking Associations’ second annual Women In Motion (WIM) Call on Washington.
During this year’s Call on Washington, WIM members represented a wide variety of backgrounds and ranged from truck drivers to trucking executives.
Over the course of three days, they participated in multiple events, including: 1) joining members of the House Education & the Workforce Committee to celebrate passage of the Modern Worker Empowerment Act;
2) a breakfast meet & greet with Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), and Jen Kiggans (R-Va.);
3) a meeting with Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling; and 4) dozens of one-on-one conversations with trucking champions on Capitol Hill, including Reps. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Mike Bost (R-IL), Mike Collins (R-GA), Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Tom Barrett (R-MI), and Zach Nunn (R-IA).
Throughout their meetings, the WIM members shared their personal experiences in trucking and made the case for Congress to pass bills to foster safe and productive workplaces, including legislation that would ensure bathroom access for our nation’s drivers as well as the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act that would dedicate funding to address our nation’s truck parking shortage.
WIM members joined House Education & the Workforce Committee members as they voted to pass the Modern Worker Empowerment Act, which safeguards the freedom of choice for entrepreneurs in trucking and all sectors to build careers on one’s own terms. This vital legislation, sponsored by Rep. Kiley, protects the rights of independent contractors. Several WIM members shared their personal testimonies about the many benefits independent contracting has provided them to run their own small businesses and set their own hours and routes.
“Women In Motion was founded to amplify the voices of women in the trucking industry, highlight their unique insights, and inspire lasting change,” said Cait Hone, director of WIM. “Thanks to ATA’s strong relationships on Capitol Hill and throughout Washington, we were able to bring WIM’s mission directly to key national leaders. We’re incredibly grateful to our members and sponsors who joined us for our member-only Call on Washington. The progress we made advancing our legislative priorities is a vital step toward building a supportive industry for all.”
“The trucking industry has given me a fulfilling career and helped me support my family,” said Dee Sova, America’s Road Team Captain. “That’s why I’m passionate about encouraging more women to pursue the same opportunities. Women In Motion has allowed me to uplift others and strengthen this incredible industry. Earlier this year, I had the honor of standing with the President at the White House to voice trucking’s support for the One Big, Beautiful Bill—an unforgettable moment. It was also rewarding to share my perspective with Members of Congress and White House officials on how to better support women in trucking.”
ATA established WIM to promote and support the advancement of women in the trucking industry. ?WIM provides access to robust training, mentorship, and networking programs; advocates for policies and practices that create a level playing field for women in the industry; and fosters communication and collaboration among women and their allies. The diverse membership spans various roles, from truck drivers and technicians to HR professionals and CEOs.
Trucking Tonnage was off 0.1% from June 2024
Washington, DC… Trucking activity in the United States slipped in June as the freight market eroded during the last two months of the second quarter. Specifically, truck freight tonnage decreased 0.4% after falling 0.1% in May, according to the American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index.
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“After a strong start to the second quarter, with tonnage levels increasing sequentially and from a year earlier in April, freight levels eased in May and June,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “In the second quarter, truck tonnage was essentially flat, increasing 0.2% from the first quarter, but falling 0.2% from a year earlier. Freight levels have been helped recently by small gains in factory output and retail sales, but weaker construction activity, especially for single-family homes, has been a drag on volumes.”
In June, the ATA advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index equaled 113.3, down from 113.8 in May. The index, which is based on 2015 as 100, slipped 0.1% from the same month last year after falling 1.3% in May. Year-to-date, compared with the same period in 2024, tonnage was up 0.1%.
May’s SA decline was unchanged from our June 24, 2025 press release.
The not seasonally adjusted index, which calculates raw changes in tonnage hauled, equaled 114.9 in June, 1.1% below May’s reading of 116.2.
Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 72.7% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 11.27 billion tons of freight in 20241. Motor carriers collected $906 billion, or 76.9% of total revenue earned by all transport modes.
Both indices are dominated by contract freight, as opposed to traditional spot market freight. The tonnage index is calculated on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the 5th day of each month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.
The ATA Federation Joined EPA For Their Announcement Repealing GHG3
Indianapolis, IN… The American Trucking Associations thanked President Trump and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin for taking action to eliminate the electric-truck mandate—the unachievable Greenhouse Gas Phase 3 emissions standards—that threatened to disrupt the supply chain and derail the trucking industry’s environmental progress.
“We commend President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin for taking decisive action to rescind the disastrous GHG Phase 3 rule,” said ATA President & CEO Chris Spear. “This electric-truck mandate put the trucking industry on a path to economic ruin and would have crippled our supply chain, disrupted deliveries, and raised prices for American families and businesses. Moreover, it kicked innovation to the curb by discarding available technologies that can further drive down emissions at a fraction of the cost.”
“For four decades, our industry has proven that we are committed to reducing emissions,” Spear continued. “The trucking industry supports cleaner, more efficient technologies, but we need policies rooted in real-world conditions. We thank the Trump Administration for returning us to a path of common sense, so that we can keep delivering for the American people as we continue to reduce our environmental impact.”
Modern trucks produce 99% fewer nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter emissions than those on the road decades ago, and new trucks cut carbon emissions by over 40 percent compared to trucks manufactured in 2010. As a result, 60 of today’s trucks emit what just one truck did in 1988. The elimination of Phase 3 and the restoration of commonsense, technology-neutral regulations will enable the trucking industry to resume its impressive environmental achievements.
Statement by CAGTC Executive Director Elaine Nessle: CAGTC Applauds Nomination of Michael Rutherford to Lead USDOT Multimodal Freight Office
WASHINGTON, DC… The Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) congratulates Michael Rutherford on his nomination to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy (Freight Office) as the Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy. As the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation considers his nomination, CAGTC Executive Director Elaine Nessle offered the following statement:
“CAGTC applauds the nomination of Michael Rutherford to lead the USDOT Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy, and thanks the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for convening to consider his credentials. The timely nomination, made on March 24, 2025, demonstrates the Administration’s commitment to ensuring the continued success of the Freight Office.
As a seasoned freight rail industry leader, Rutherford is well-suited to lead the Freight Office – a critical federal resource to the nation’s supply chain partners who make up the backbone of the U.S. economy. Under Rutherford’s leadership, the Freight Office will build on its important work, applying a national lens to navigate existing and emerging complexities throughout the U.S. freight network by helping the country respond to and mitigate supply chain disruptions, facilitating information sharing among stakeholders, and guiding strategic freight investment and policy decisions.”
The Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) is a diverse coalition of more than 60 public and private organizations dedicated to increasing federal investment in America’s intermodal freight infrastructure. In contrast to single mode interests, CAGTC’s main mission is to promote a seamless goods movement transportation system across all modes to enhance capacity and economic growth. For more information on the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors, please visit www.tradecorridors.org
OOIDA Supports EPA Proposal To Rescind Phase 3 And Other Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rules
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association issued this statement in response to an announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
“OOIDA and the 150,000 small-business truckers we represent welcome the EPA’s proposal to rescind the Phase 3 and other misguided greenhouse gas emissions rules. Small-business truckers make up 96% of trucking and could be regulated out of existence if this nonsensical rule were to be implemented. Mom-and-pop trucking businesses would be suffocated by the sheer cost and operational challenges of effectively mandating zero-emission trucks. Vehicle reliability and affordability are top priorities for OOIDA members, and we have yet to see proof that electric commercial motor vehicles are a practical option for most trucking businesses considering the price tag and lack of charging infrastructure. We commend EPA Administrator Zeldin on his realistic approach to emissions regulations. We will be working with EPA and Congress on a path forward that prioritizes listening to the men and women of the trucking industry.” – OOIDA President Todd Spence
Midyear truckstop.com/Bloomberg Surveys Reveal Confidence in Freight
Boise, ID… New surveys conducted by truckstop.com and Bloomberg Intelligence show resilience among carriers and brokers in a challenging freight market with demand and pricing uncertainties.
The surveys also reveal optimism and confidence in the second half of the year.
“Many carriers and brokers remained optimistic through the first half of 2025 despite facing difficulties,” said Todd Markusic, Customer Insights Manager at truckstop.com. “While the freight market underperformed in the second quarter, with no clear resolution for how tariffs will impact the economy, many in the industry are expecting a recovery in the next six months.”
Rates and Revenue
Eighty-five percent of carriers and 83% of brokers believe volume will be either up or remain flat over the next 6 months. This optimism prevails despite only 16% of carriers and 36% of brokers reporting year-over-year revenue growth—a drop from previous quarters.
Among carriers:
* 17% said rates have improved since Q2 of 2024, and 42% expect rates to rise in Q3 (down 13 points from Q1).
* 56% believe load volumes during 2Q25 were up or flat compared to the same period last year.
* Nearly half (48%) are unsure when rates will bottom out, a 7-point increase from Q1, yet 84% think rates will go up or stay flat over the next 6 months.
* Similarly, 79% expect their revenues to remain stable or increase for the next 6 months.
Among brokers:
* Comparing 1H25 to the same period last year, 39% of brokers said spot rates were up, and 78% said contract rates were up.
* Revenues went up or stayed flat for 72% during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
* 84% expect spot rates to remain stable or increase in the next 6 months. Eighty percent expect contract rates to do the same.
* Most are working on a 15% gross margin, and 69% believe their current margin is higher in the first half of 2025 compared to the first and second halves of 2024.
* 82% percent expect their gross margins to increase or stay flat in the next 6 months.
Demand Outlook
Carriers and brokers have different expectations for demand in the next six months based on their experiences in the first half of 2025:
* 19% of carriers say load volumes are up year-over-year, while 37% of brokers reported higher load volumes.
* 52% of carriers expect demand to increase in the next 3–6 months, while 83% of brokers believe demand will be either up or flat over the next 6 months.
Cost Pressures and Cautious Spending
Despite the positive outlook, short-term financial pressures are causing many carriers and brokers to defer investments in equipment and human capital.
* Only 21% of carriers plan to purchase new equipment, down from 38% in Q1.
* 40% of brokerage firms expect to hire more brokers in 2025, compared to 52% in December 2024.
Carriers blame tariffs for delaying a rebound in freight demand and rates. Thirty-eight percent now believe tariffs will significantly hurt the industry, up from 30% last quarter. Overall, 55% say tariffs will have at least some negative impact.
Brokers have also soured on policies from the new administration. In December, 74% thought the administration would be good for trucking. Six months later, only 44% hold this same belief.
Labor Sentiment Strained but Holding
Job satisfaction among carriers and brokers remains relatively stable:
* Among brokers, job satisfaction slipped modestly (78% vs. 83% in December).
* 54% of carriers say they are satisfied with their work, down from 65% in Q1.
* Only 10% are considering leaving the industry—barely changed from 9% in Q1.
* 18% of carriers and 6% of brokers are dissatisfied with their jobs.
The carrier survey included responses from 204 firms (75% of whom operate five or fewer trucks). Flatbed carriers comprised the most significant segment at 49%. The broker survey had 185 responses from freight forwarders, third-party logistics providers, broker agents, as well as asset- and non-asset-based firms. Brokerages with 1-50 employees accounted for 68% of respondents.
truckstop.com is a trusted partner for carriers, brokers, and shippers, empowering the freight community through a platform of innovative solutions for the entire freight lifecycle to help increase efficiency, automate processes, and accelerate growth. As one of the industry’s largest neutral freight marketplaces, truckstop.com provides the customer service as well as scale of quality loads and trucks to give customers of all sizes, whether on the road or in the office, the transparency and freedom to build lasting relationships and grow their businesses. To learn how truckstop.com is helping move the freight community forward, visit truckstop.com.
CTA: Trucking Industry Can Help End the Trade War As U.S. Demands for Increased Border Security Continue
TORONTO, CANADA… The world’s largest trading relationship remains in turmoil as President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) to raise tariffs to 35 percent on non-CUSMA qualifying goods.
Most Canada-US trade is moved back and forth across the border by truck.
As cited by the President through the EO, and based on comments from a senior U.S. official, the primary reason for this escalation is related to various forms of illegal smuggling across the Canada-US Border:
The EO stated: “Canada’s lack of cooperation stems from the flood of fentanyl and other illicit drugs across our northern border — including its failure to devote satisfactory resources to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept drug trafficking organizations, other drug or human traffickers, criminals at large, and illicit drugs.”
Canadian Trucking Alliance CEO and President Stephen Laskowski said the “CTA has been sounding the alarm with Canadian officials for months that illegal drug smuggling and human trafficking in cross border trucking, including forced labour of foreign drivers, is a problem in the Canadian trucking industry due to lack of provincial and federal oversight of carrier safety and compliance.”
“We have continued to outline this issue and solutions to federal and provincial officials, and we hope Prime Minister Carney and provincial leaders will focus the necessary enforcement efforts on our sector as soon as possible,” he added. “It’s what our country and industry needs and what Washington has repeatedly asked for. The time is now to secure the border and bring real enforcement to the growing, criminal element in our sector that strives to shun the law and undermine the compliant, lawful aspect of our industry.”
Some provinces have already taken significant steps to increase oversight and enforcement, which have yielded good results. The Province of Ontario, at the behest of CTA and the Ontario Trucking Association, continues enforcement through Operation Deterrence. The Ministry of Transport and police forces have focused efforts to inspect trucks travelling to and from the US border. Data obtained for the first months of MTO operations (Jan-Apr) indicate just over 48,000 inspections were completed. About 85% percent of these were focused on detecting and deterring illegal activity by checking vehicles’ cargo and cargo securement requirements. Over 22,500 separate types of non-compliance issues were documented with 4,200 charges have been issued.
Nationally, the CTA’s plan involves federal and provincial agencies cooperating and conducting joint enforcement at provincial truck inspection stations; focused immigration and labour audits on carriers where there is indication of forced labour – including a majority of US visa applicant truck drivers reportedly receiving wages one-third of industry standards; and taking decisive action to change immigration programs so they only permit participation by compliant trucking fleets that have been screened and audited by provincial and federal officials.
The Next Test for Ottawa: How to Respond to GHG Rules Being Rolled Back by the U.S. EPA
TORONTO, CANADA… The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) has spent a great deal of effort to inform the Government of Canada the realities of the Canadian supply chain and the service requirements of the Canadian trucking industry are not currently compatible with electric truck and zero-emission vehicle mandates.
A white paper completed by the environmental group Pollution Probe, which was commissioned by CTA, outlined the realities of decarbonization in trucking and strongly supports the position of the Alliance (link to old PR).
Earlier this summer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially released a proposed rule to repeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding, the foundation of EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the Clean Air Act. In repealing the Endangerment Finding, the EPA proposes to also void their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Phase 3 standards for heavy-duty trucks and EPA’s light-duty multi-pollutant emissions standards. These actions are expected to be finalized by the fall.
Meanwhile, CTA continues to caution Ottawa on the perils of taking a diverging regulatory path from the U.S. when it comes to environmental mandates and GHG regulations.
To their credit, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has engaged CTA regarding the issues highlighted in the Pollution Probe white paper and are prepared to discuss these realities as they relate to the GHG Phase III rules in Canada.
As it becomes clear that Phase III regulations won’t be introduced in the U.S., CTA will reiterate its message to Ottawa that Canada’s response to this change must consider the market realities of where heavy trucks are manufactured, technological feasibility of GHG reduction technology and their cost-effectiveness; and the operational realities of the trucking industry and supply chain in Canada, amongst other factors.
CTA is urging the Carney Government to develop a pragmatic approach in response to the potential US decision not to introduce Phase III of the GHG regulation, which makes sense for Canadian businesses as it attempts to continue reducing carbon from heavy trucks.
To be clear, Phase II of the ECCC GHG regulations were already causing significant problems for many fleets and OEMs – especially those in the vocational sector that will be needed to build the mega projects Ottawa and the provinces say they want to create. These same issues are starting to creep into the long-haul trucking sector, potentially making Phase III regulations a repeat disaster of previous environmental regulations for Canadian fleets and the customers they serve.
“The Alliance believes that Minister Dabrusin and Prime Minister Carney face a big test in prioritizing commonsense and business-focused solutions in response to the U.S. direction,” said CTA president Stephen Laskowski. “If the Carney Government is true to their word about wanting to inject growth and productivity into the economy, the Government of Canada will put aside environmental politics and work with the OEMs and the trucking fleets that will be impacted by the U.S. EPA changes, while also remaining sensitive to the need to reduce carbon emissions from heavy trucks in an operationally and technologically feasible manner that can be properly managed by the trucking industry and supply chain.”
The Alliance would also like to emphasize that the potential elimination of the U.S. EPA carbon regulations does not mean the end of pursuing an effective GHG regulation for heavy trucks. In fact, CTA is hopeful Ottawa agrees that recent changes provide a great opportunity to implement a regulatory pathway that addresses concerns from both an environmental and business perspective. This may include looking at more viable alternative fuel or transitional technologies available to the sector.
CTA will continue to work with its association partners in the U.S. to develop a consistent message for the industry as it manages this evolving issue over the coming months.
Restoring Order and Human Rights to Trucking and Immigration Will Help Improve Economy: CTA to PM and Premiers
TORONTO, CANADA… Following a meeting this week between the prime minister and premiers to discuss Canada’s economic future, the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is encouraging provincial and federal leaders to remain steadfast in their commitment to get the Canadian economy moving while putting aside regional and national politics for the betterment of Canadians.
CTA specifically cited immigration oversight, which the provinces want more control over.
CTA recently met with transportation deputies from across Canada to discuss improvements to productivity and competitiveness that could be brought to trucking – namely combatting the underground economy that utilizes immigration schemes linked to forced labour, abuses newcomers to Canada, while embarrassing Canada internationally and dramatically increasing the risk to public safety.
“While tax policy, infrastructure investment and streamlining permitting and licensing regimes remain key, our sector urgently needs the provincial and federal governments to immediately address the underground economy. Part of that solution involves reforming the immigration system – a crisis that will require the regulatory and political leadership of the Council of the Federation and each provincial legislature,” said Stephen Laskowski, president of the CTA.
In the past CTA has outlined to the Council of the Federation the need for immigration reform and a known employer program to prevent the abuse of newcomers and protect road users.
“The underground economy in trucking uses immigration abuse schemes that see thousands of truck drivers in Canada on work permits being paid archaic wages, like from the 1980s,” said Laskowski. “These drivers are operating on roads in Canada and the U.S. with little, to no training and are being forced to work in exploitative conditions and are subjects of economic servitude. It’s time this system ends. If the Council of Federation is looking for provincial control over immigration, it must recognize the problem it inherits and begins working with the trucking sector to restore order to a broken and abused system.”
ATA Statement on Advancement of Derek Barrs’ Nomination to Lead FMCSA
Washington, DC… The American Trucking Associations applauded the Senate Commerce Committee for voting in support of Derek Barrs to serve as administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. His nomination will now be considered by the full Senate.
“Over the past 20 years, Derek Barrs has built his career in law enforcement and the commercial motor vehicle industry around one singular goal: to make our roads safer for all motorists,” said ATA President & CEO Chris Spear. “We appreciate the members of the Senate Commerce Committee recognizing Derek’s laudable commitment by voting to approve his nomination to be FMCSA administrator. This role is vitally important to the 8.5 million Americans who work in trucking-related jobs. Derek has the qualifications and expertise that will make him exceptionally well prepared to take on this challenge, and under his leadership, the trucking industry is confident that FMCSA will make significant progress towards achieving our shared priorities of improving highway safety and efficiently delivering the nation’s freight. We urge the Senate to confirm him to this position at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Barrs has served in various law enforcement capacities for the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Highway Patrol. Most recently, he has been a consultant on traffic-related and commercial motor vehicle safety projects across numerous states. He also joined ATA’s Law Enforcement Advisory Board in 2021, and he has been an active member of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance in multiple roles, including serving as the President of the Associate Members, where he represented motor carriers and suppliers to the industry.
In January, ATA, the Truckload Carriers Association, and the National Tank Truck Carriers sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to express full support for Barrs. Following the Committee’s action, ATA sent another letter to the leaders of the Senate urging them to swiftly hold a vote on Barrs’ nomination.