Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Jan. 6, 2025:
Broker transparency ‘fireside chat’ in the works for Wednesday this week
Owner-operators, freight brokers and other interested parties have just over two weeks left to comment on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s broker transparency proposed rulemaking.
The comment period on the rule, which proposes a “regulatory obligation” for brokers to provide brokered freight transaction records within 48 hours of a request, is open through Tuesday, Jan. 21. As of Monday, Jan. 6, more than 2,000 comments have been filed on the proposal.
Consistent with the results of Overdrive‘s ongoing polling of readers on the issue, owner-operator commenters on the proposal are supportive of FMCSA’s efforts. Commenter Mark Jackson, who identified himself as an owner-operator for the last 10 years, said brokers “should not be allowed to deceive the owner-operators into giving up the rights for transparency.” He added that “brokers are getting out of hand with the demands they place on us and not being transparent with the compensation. There should be a cap on what percentage they are allowed to charge for their service.” Ultimately, he said, “Transparency is the only way to know if we are being fairly compensated for the work us drivers do.”
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Likewise, commenter Mike Batcheller said, “FMCSA needs to ensure that bad brokers are not running owner-operators and small trucking businesses out of business. Do what’s right and provide access to the transaction information as already required under 371.3(c).”
[Related: Broker transparency about boosting freight rates? Or a fight for carriers’ rights]
Commenting brokers, however, have called the original broker transparency regulation “obsolete and un-American” — that’s according to federal commentary by brokerage Mathis Transportation Services. “Any attempts to expand or enhance these outdated provisions should be shelved, and the FMCSA should redirect its attention to fulfilling its primary mission — ensuring safety on our highways and addressing rampant freight fraud,” the company added. Mathis concluded that the company doesn’t “see this benefitting anyone except carriers who will go to our established customers and back solicit freight.”
For truckers who have yet to file a comment, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is hosting a virtual “fireside chat” this week to talk about the FMCSA’s broker transparency proposal to help answer any questions owner-operators might have. The event will be held Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. OOIDA President Todd Spencer, Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh and Director of Federal Affairs Jay Grimes will be on hand to answer questions. Those interested in attending should register here.
OOIDA has also created a form on its Fighting For Truckers advocacy website that allows drivers to file comments directly to FMCSA, along with other broker transparency-related resources.
[Related: Transparency enforcement ‘bad for shippers, brokers and carriers’: DAT’s Ken Adamo]
Pugh and Spencer discussed the issue with Overdrive Radio in the early December 2024 episode that follows here.
Former FMCSA deputy administrator joins autonomous tech firm
Earl Adams Jr., a former chief counsel and deputy administrator at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, has been appointed by autonomous driving software developer Plus as the company’s Vice President of Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs.
Adams will lead Plus’s global public affairs and safety advocacy efforts and advise on regulatory developments as the company partners with global commercial vehicle makers, including Scania/MAN/International of Traton Group, Hyundai, and Iveco to bring driverless trucks to market, the company said. Adams assumes the position from Wiley Deck, another former FMCSA deputy administrator, who has left the company to pursue other opportunities.
“After nearly a decade on our autonomous journey, we are on the brink of commercializing autonomous trucks,” said David Liu, CEO and co-founder of Plus. “Earl’s unmatched experience in transportation policy and his ability to connect diverse stakeholder groups will be instrumental to the next phase of our growth. I am grateful for Wiley’s invaluable contributions to our leadership in this field and wish him the best success in his new venture.”
[Related: Former acting FMCSA chief joins self-driving tech firm]
While at FMCSA, Adams led the agency’s team drafting safety rules of autonomous commercial vehicles and served as its liaison to the Office of the Secretary’s autonomous working group, Plus noted. Adams was also in private law practice, most recently as a partner in the Transportation Regulatory practice at Hogan Lovells, where he led the firm’s autonomous vehicle working group, prior to joining Plus.
“Plus has built a winning position as the autonomy partner of choice to global commercial vehicles makers like Traton Group, Hyundai and Iveco,” Adams said. “I am excited to join Plus and work closely with partners, regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth path to safely launch autonomous trucks and make our roads safer for everyone.”
Adams’ move continues somewhat of a trend of former FMCSA leaders leaving their government posts to join the private sector with autonomous trucking companies. In addition to Adams and Deck, former FMCSA Acting Administrator Jim Mullen joined TuSimple as the company’s Chief Legal and Risk Officer for about two years.
[Related: New FMCSA Deputy Administrator sworn in]
Atlas Canada acquires customs brokerage
Atlas Van Lines has acquired Orbit Brokers, a provider of customs brokerage services based in Mississauga, Ontario.
The deal, effective as of Jan. 1, enhances Atlas Canada’s ability to deliver seamless customs clearance solutions for clients across Canada and the United States, the company said.
“Orbit Brokers’ proven track record in customs brokerage perfectly complements our service model, ensuring our agents and clients benefit from an integrated, seamless solution for all relocation and logistics needs,” said Fred Haladay, Atlas Canada president and COO.
Orbit Brokers specializes in handling both commercial and personal customs clearance needs, offering efficient and compliant import solutions into Canada. With their expertise in navigating complex Canadian import regulations and providing local delivery services, Orbit Brokers enhances Atlas Canada’s ability to deliver comprehensive, end-to-end logistics solutions.
“We are thrilled to announce that Orbit Brokers has been acquired by Atlas Van Lines, a leader in the industry,” said Clayton Castelino, president of Orbit Brokers. “This exciting new chapter opens incredible opportunities for our team, clients, and partners. We are pleased to join forces with Atlas, and we look forward to combining our expertise and values to provide even more innovative, seamless, and reliable services to our clients worldwide.”