August 28, 2025 / By admin / Logistic • Transport / 0 Comments
A recent Senate subcommittee hearing, “Shifting Gears: Issues Impacting the Trucking and Commercial Bus Industries in the U.S.,” indicates an effort to do just that. The hearing, which will help shape the next major highway bill, laid bare a list of industry concerns that have long been at the top of the agenda.
Here are the themes that resonated throughout the meeting.
- Safety Enhancements: The discussion emphasized the need for enhancing safety, including the use of advanced safety technologies, post-crash drug and substance testing, and ensuring driver compliance with safety regulations. There was also a call for modernizing the safety measurement system for buses.
- Reduce Regulatory Burden: There was a strong emphasis on examining and potentially eliminating outdated or unnecessary federal regulations that do not contribute to safety but impose significant costs on the industry. An example given was the rule requiring manual placement of safety triangles during emergency stops.
- Workforce Challenges: The discussion delved into issues related to driver retention, high turnover rates, and the need for fair wages and benefits to support the long-term health of the workforce.
- Infrastructure Needs: There was a consensus on the need for infrastructure improvements, particularly the chronic shortage of safe truck parking and public access to federally funded facilities for commercial buses.
- Technology and Automation: The role of new technology, especially autonomous vehicles, was a significant topic. Lawmakers and industry leaders discussed the need for a clear federal framework for regulation while also addressing labor concerns about potential job displacement.
- Freight Theft and Security: The hearing addressed the growing problem of cargo theft and fraud, with calls for greater federal coordination to address the issue.
The goal of the hearing was to help inform and guide upcoming legislation. The hearing was specifically held “in the context of the next surface transportation reauthorization,” which is a major, multi-year bill that authorizes funding and policy for the nation’s surface transportation systems.
How to Advocate For Our Industry
The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) has been a vital way to advocate for our industry and they help to get issues in front of members of Congress. Attending the TIA’s Annual Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. is a great way to actively advocate for your business and the needs of our industry. Learn more about the TIA’s Policy Forum here: https://tianet.org/policyforum