Relief from high fuel prices?

Why are more people not voicing their outrage about the high price of gasoline and diesel fuel? Allan Greenspan, former head of the Federal Reserve, mentioned recently that high oil prices are a more serious issue than any other threat facing America today, including terrorism. I agree!

The trucking industry is paying through the nose and I am not sure that anyone knows or cares. To add insult to injury, the Federal Government is standing by and allowing market-place economics drive many publicly-traded and privately-held truck lines dangerously close to bankruptcy.

Do we need a repeat of the 1930’s before the government takes action and legislates relief? If $100 per barrel oil is not a call-for-action, what is? $125 per barrel, $150 per barrel? What’s the point where legislation is passed to ensure that trucks are around to move our freight and preserve our prosperity?

The first thing that needs to be done is mandating a formula where fuel surcharges are paid out to motor carriers for interstate hauls. It needs to be consistent and fair. Currently shippers and brokers arbitrarily pay or withhold fuel surcharges based upon the availability of trucks. That is short-sighted and does not insure the long-term health of the industry. Fuel surcharges need to be “untouchable” either by transportation brokers or the shipping public as a whole.

Taxes paid by carriers both at the pump and for the privilege of driving over our interstate highway system need to be examined on an emergency basis. Relief could be legislated in a manner of days. These are not complex fixes and they are in the best interest of the nation. Normally, I am a strong advocate of market-place economics, but these times “ain’t” normal. Write your congressman today and recommend that action be taken that will ensure the future of our industry.

What are you currently doing to provide temporary or long-term relief from high fuel prices?

–Bill Ryan