8.4 C
Vancouver
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Could the economy be improving?

 

Trucking is one of the harbingers of the health of the economy.  Do raw statistics tell the absolute story?  The for-hire trucking industry has added nearly 10,000 new carriers, according to QualifiedCarriers.com. The industry now has 186,200 active carriers.

An active carrier is defined as one with a Department of Transportation registration number, a motor carrier number, active operating authority and proper insurance. Active carriers account for a fraction of the more than 500,000 carriers registered with DOT.

Since April 2012, the number of active carriers has increased nearly 12 percent; however, not all new carriers represent an increase in capacity. Many are new owner-operator authorities taken out by experienced drivers, and others are new ventures under existing parent companies. Some may also be reactivations of lapsed authorities.

“I believe many drivers have re-engaged and activated their authorities, based on opportunities in the market, just as I believe many drivers seek ‘shelter’ within big truckers during downturns,” says Jeffrey G. Tucker, CEO of QualifiedCarriers.