Within 48 hours, a judge orders Rhode Island to stop collecting truck-only tolls.

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Within 48 hours, a judge orders Rhode Island to stop collecting truck-only tolls

When a federal judge ordered Rhode Island to stop obtaining tolls from trucks as part of the contentious “RhodeWorks” program on Wednesday, the trucking sector gained a huge victory.

In a case brought in 2018 against the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and other organizations over the collection of truck-only tolls, Judge William Smith ruled in favor of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and other trucking organizations on Wednesday. The truckers from outside the state were unfairly burdened, according to the lawsuit, by the tolls.

According to Judge Smith, Rhode Island will be permanently “enjoined from charging or collecting tolls or from enforcing nonpayment of such charges through penalty for nonpayment or avoidance” within 48 hours.

Given that it is believed that large commercial vehicles are to blame for the majority of damage to roads and bridges, RhodeWorks was enacted into law in February 2016 as a solution to rehabilitate Rhode Island’s infrastructure by tolling trucks rather than passenger cars. In June 2018, Rhode Island started charging the truck-only tolls.

According to Judge Smith, the truck tolls violate the Dormant Commerce Clause, which bans states from establishing laws that impose excessive barriers on interstate commerce, and are therefore unconstitutional.

The statute’s tolling regime is unconstitutional under the dormant Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution, according to Judge Smith, because RhodeWorks fails to fairly distribute its tolls among bridge users based on a fair approximation of their use of the bridges, was enacted with a discriminatory purpose, and is discriminatory in effect.

Along with the ATA, Cumberland Farms, Inc., M&M Transport Services, Inc., and New England Motor Freight, Inc. filed a lawsuit in an effort to stop the tolls permanently.

According to ATA President and CEO Chris Spear, “We advised Rhode Island’s leaders from the beginning that their ridiculous proposal was not only discriminatory, but also illegal.” “We’re happy the court concurred. We won’t back down, so any state that wants to target our industry better bring your A-game.

The president of the Rhode Island Trucking Association, Chris Maxwell, stated, “It has been a long journey to get here, but today is a fantastic day for our industry – not only here in Rhode Island, but across the country. These tolls would have spread across the nation if we had lost, and this decision sends a clear message to other states that trucking is not to be used as a piggy bank.

The Log Book: Companies prepare to honor drivers for annual appreciation week

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The Log Book: Companies prepare to honor drivers for annual appreciation week

The Log Book is a listing of human-interest stories about the transportation sector published every week. This week, logistics firms, trailer producers, and charitable organizations that support trucking are getting ready to honor truckers during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

C.H. Robinson literally values drivers.

provider of global logistics C.H. During the annual National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Robinson said on Thursday that it will continue to offer freebies as a way to thank truckers.

The global logistics provider is extending its “Thanks for Everything, Literally” thank-you campaign by an additional week, from September 11 to 23, to celebrate drivers for bringing consumers’ daily necessities. Normally, appreciation week lasts for seven days.

Cody Griggs, senior product manager at C.H. Robinson, told FreightWaves that working on the ad “has truly changed how we think about the items we use in our regular lives and reminded us that everything has been delivered on a truck.”

Griggs has performed a variety of tasks for C.H. Robinson has worked on a thank-you campaign for the logistics provider’s carrier network for the past two years and has loved doing so. Robinson has been with the company since 2004.
“This is our way of saying ‘thank you,’ not just for what they do to help C.H., but for everything they do. Robinson from a money standpoint, but to aid in running our nation. We are in a position to express our gratitude, and we enjoy doing so.

St. Christopher’s recognizes Highway Heroes

The Log Book is a listing of human-interest stories about the transportation sector published every week. This week, logistics firms, trailer producers, and charitable organizations that support trucking are getting ready to honor truckers during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

C.H. Robinson literally values drivers.

provider of global logistics C.H. During the annual National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Robinson said on Thursday that it will continue to offer freebies as a way to thank truckers.

The global logistics provider is extending its “Thanks for Everything, Literally” thank-you campaign by an additional week, from September 11 to 23, to celebrate drivers for bringing consumers’ daily necessities. Normally, appreciation week lasts for seven days.

Cody Griggs, senior product manager at C.H. Robinson, told FreightWaves that working on the ad “has truly changed how we think about the items we use in our regular lives and reminded us that everything has been delivered on a truck.”

Griggs has performed a variety of tasks for C.H. Robinson has worked on a thank-you campaign for the logistics provider’s carrier network for the past two years and has loved doing so. Robinson has been with the company since 2004.
“This is our way of saying ‘thank you,’ not just for what they do to help C.H., but for everything they do. Robinson from a money standpoint, but to aid in running our nation. We are in a position to express our gratitude, and we enjoy doing so.

To respect the drivers, C.H. Over the course of the 13 days, Robinson has scheduled three different programs and events:

The company will pay $5, up to a maximum of $25,000, to the trucking charity St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund for each thank-you message sent to drivers using the hashtag #ThanksForEverythingLiterally on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Every work day, C.H. Robinson will distribute $1,000 to 10 carriers. Carriers who book and pick up a cargo will be entered into that raffle. The company’s staff will get together to thank its devoted drivers at the Trails Travel Center, which is located outside the company’s headquarters close to Albert Lea, Minnesota. Food, beverages, and a chance to win business swag and prizes will all be provided at this event.

St. Christopher’s recognizes Highway Heroes

The Highway Heroes Campaign, an annual giving campaign for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, has been launched by St. Christopher Truckers’ Relief Fund (SCF), a nonprofit organization that focuses on driver health initiatives and short-term relief for when drivers find themselves out on the job due to injury or illness.

This advertisement features drivers, notably Ingrid Brown of FreightWaves, who have made a significant contribution to the local driving community.

“We all understand how difficult and challenging it can be when health issues leave you completely dependent on yourself and your loved ones for support, said truck driving veteran Brown. ” Bills keep coming in, and no one seems to realize this anymore. The knowledge that your electricity won’t be cut off, your insurance won’t expire, or you won’t lose your home is at last a source of peace and relief thanks to SCF. You experience a sense of calm knowing that your only concerns are with healing and returning to your favorite activities.

Trucking and logistics firms including Echo Global Logistics, Total Quality Logistics, Intact Insurance, The Pilot Company, Progressive Commercial Insurance, and Brenny Transportation are supporting the Highway Heroes campaign.

Companies that participate and donate toward the campaign can also submit stories and pictures of drivers to be shared on the Highway Heroes site, as well.

Shannon Currier, director of philanthropy at SCF, stated, “We are delighted to work with new and existing sponsors to spend not just a week but an entire month showing truck drivers out there how much we appreciate them. This campaign will promote the sector and draw attention to the kindness and compassion of the whole transportation business.

St. Christopher’s recognizes Highway Heroes

Convoy: On Thursday, the digital freight network revealed that it has improved its quick pay services so that drivers could now be paid within eight hours of delivery in exchange for a 1.5% charge. Grant Goodale, co-founder of Convoy and chief carrier experience officer, told FreightWaves that the 1.5% fee will be waived for all shipments scheduled from September 12 to 16. He added that, similar to the program Convoy ran last year, the firm will recognize drivers with its Haul Star Awards. The awards’ specifics will be revealed on September 15.

Great Dane Trailers: The trailer producer will be recognizing drivers next week with sweepstakes. Drivers of Great Dane trailers must enter the contest before 2:00 p.m. EST on September 11 to take part in the weekly prize raffle. Great Dane helmets, Carhartt jackets and coolers, AirPods, pizza oven stoves, a Weber charcoal grill, and different restaurant gift cards are among the prizes.

Transfix: The online freight marketplace said on Thursday that it will honor National Truck Driver Appreciation Week with the second iteration of its “TransFIX My Rig” truck makeover competition, which will be overseen by television personality and certified general contractor Jason Cameron. Jess Graham, a driver from Snellville, Georgia, received this year’s makeover, which will be unveiled on Sept. 13 at a livestream event. The business will also provide the other nominees “Comfort-in-a-Box” packages, which will contain an air freshener, a robe, a blanket, a succulent plant, and other decorative items.