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John G Smith
John G. Smith is the editorial director of Newcom Media's trucking and supply chain publications -- including Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, TruckTech, Transport Routier, and Road Today. The award-winning journalist has covered the trucking industry since 1995.
PacLease adds 3 BC locations
BELLEVUE, WA - PacLease has added three British Columbia locations to a network that now includes 454 facilities throughout North America. Inland PacLease in West Kelowna, Peterbilt Pacific Leasing in Lantzville, and Peterbilt Pacific Leasing in Delta were among 10 new locations announced this week. "PacLease had another strong year and we're finding increased demand for those wanting to rent and lease Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks," said Jake Civitts, director of franchise operations for PACCAR Leasing Company (PacLease). "With the opening of our new PacLease locations, including three in the major markets of the Detroit and Philadelphia areas, along with Birmingham, we're well situated for continued growth."
Driver shortage and the demographic cliff
Discussions about a driver shortage tend to fade away when the economy struggles, but there is no escaping the fact that Canada needs to attract a new generation of drivers. A 2016 study - Understanding the Truck Driver Demand and Supply Gap - determined that for-hire fleets will need 34,000 more drivers by 2024, many of whom will be needed to fill seats once held by drivers who retire or quit. Solutions will involve reaching out to underrepresented groups like millennials and women. In the meantime, limits on Temporary Foreign Workers have effectively eliminated another option.
Struggles in oil country
Low oil values have calmed prices at the pump, but they have also hit fleets and owner-operators who serve Canada's famed oil patch. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers hosted a record-breaking sale in Edmonton this April, reselling about 10,600 pieces of equipment. That is clearly the sign of a struggling industry, especially when you consider that just 46% of the purchased equipment stayed in the province.
A price on carbon, but support for natural gas?
TORONTO, ON - The Ontario Trucking Association wants the provincial government to offer up to $60,000 per natural gas vehicle in a bid to offset purchase prices that are higher than diesel equipment -- but it's also asking funders to consider more than vehicle and fuel station costs alone.
Transport Canada prepares to mandate stability controls
As of August 2017, Transport Canada mandates Electronic Stability Controls on three-axle tractors with Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings above 26,000 pounds, harmonizing with a U.S. rule that was introduced in 2015. There are an estimated 660 truck rollovers in Canada every year, and while that's just 5% of all truck collisions, they are a particular threat to drivers.
Eastern provinces harmonize LCV programs
Federal updates to weights and dimensions continue to roll out in provinces, with allowances for boat tails and longer tractor wheelbases. It isn't the only change in the name of harmony. Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have found common ground on their Long Combination Vehicle programs, making it easier to run from one jurisdiction to the next. But the approach still differs from the rules embraced in Western Canada.
Introducing the SuperTruck
We have seen the future, and it is reflected in SuperTrucks that manufacturers have developed with funding support through the U.S. Department of Energy. Volvo, for example, managed to reach 12 miles per gallon. Many related features have already become a reality. And another US $137 million has been set aside to develop new technologies through SuperTruck II.
Tow operators pulled into CVOR
Ontario expands its Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration system to include tow trucks in 2017, although an "education" period will help to ease the rules into place. In the meantime, tow operators are still exempted from Hours of Service regulations and the need to pull into roadside scales.
Ontario’s plan to MELT
Ontario will become the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) for truck drivers, making it tougher than ever to earn a Class A licence. As of July, wannabe truckers face a minimum of 135 hours of mandatory training, including 36.5 hours in the classroom, 17 hours in yard, 18 hours behind the wheel and off the road, and 32 hours on the road. But will this bring an end to licensing mills that do little more than take tuition and create poorly trained licence holders?
David Bradley’s exit plan
David Bradley, arguably the most recognized industry lobbyist in trucking, retires this year from the role he defined as the long-time Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Trucking Alliance. Stephen Laskowski has been named as his successor, and has already begun to assume many of the related duties.
A marriage made in Europe — VW and Navistar
Volkswagen Truck and Bus stunned North America's trucking industry when it purchased a 16.6% stake in Navistar. The companies are now investigating synergies that could create an estimated $500 million in savings - and bring a Volkswagen-engineered powertrain to our market by 2019.
A new oil category — with two oils
It's a long journey to the top of the CN Tower. There are 1,776 steps for those who want to climb it; the glass-floored elevators are the world's highest. The Toronto landmark even represented the final stop in a long journey toward a new engine oil category that officially took hold on December 1 - and introduces a significant choice for buyers.