U.S. truckstops oppose more funded rest areas

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (April 16, 2004) — The National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO) — a group representing America’s truck stop and travel plaza owners and operators — says America doesn’t need any more government-funded parking spaces.

A recently passed transportation reauthorization bill established a $60 million program to build additional truck parking on the Interstate system, but NATSO is on record as urging the Senate to reject the bill on the grounds that its members would be adversely affected.

A 2002 federal study concluded that commercial parking spaces at privately owned truck stops provide about 90 per cent of America’s estimated 316,000 Interstate truck parking spaces. Overall, the study concluded there was an adequate supply of parking nationwide but admitted there was indeed a shortage in 12 states. And with the new hours of service rules now requiring 10-hour stops, officials say it’s anybody’s guess how well the parking infrastructure will serve truckers.

NATSO objects to the public funding of more commercial parking spaces on the grounds that it could detract from the base of paying customers. The truckstops’ argument is that parking isn’t cheap to build or maintain, and less than one percent of truckstops charge anything to park for the night. They build the infrastructure, at about $100,000 an acre, with often only a couple cups of coffee bought in return.