Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressed concerns on Capitol Hill Thursday, where he announced the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)’s renewed effort to increase participation in their three-year pilot program for drivers ages 18-20. Despite its intention to accommodate up to 1,000 carriers and 3,000 apprentices when it launched last summer, there is an “alarming” lack of engagement with only 21 carriers and 4 driving apprentices approved thus far. The FMSCA’s announcement serves as a call from the Department of Transportation for greater support towards this initiative that could help shape America’s transportation future.
“We would like to see better participation,” Buttigieg responded, noting the latest data shows 22 motor carriers approved and another 22 that have been approved by FMCSA but are working through the approval process.
“[To help bolster the ranks] we’re making [pilot program] information available to 1,500 carriers that meet the safety requirements,” he said. “We also had a video campaign that took place in February and we’re using social media and outreach to the 2023 high school graduating class. We are very interested in getting the level of participation that will give us good data to continue in this direction without compromising safety.”
Buttigieg was at the hearing to defend the DOT’s $145 billion budget request. The proposed budget would include 76.1 billion for highway, highway safety, and transit formula programs as well as $60.1 billion (a $1.3 billion increase compared to the 2023 enacted level) for the Federal-Aid Highway program for repairing and upgrading highways and bridges.
When asked about the lack of truck parking, Buttigieg stated that addressing the truck parking capacity is one of the primary topics discussed when he talks with drivers.
“And it’s not just a matter of convenience. It’s really a matter of safety,” he said. “It means as a driver is on their route, they see they’re getting to the limit of their hours of service. They’re faced with either having to stop short [of their work limit] and lose income — if there’s even a space nearby — or park in an unsafe place.”
In regards to a dedicated funding program, the House chamber introduced a bill in January that would provide $755 million over the next four years specifically for truck parking expansion.
“We welcome a dialogue [on dedicated funding],” Buttigieg said. “In the meantime, we’re using the funding we already have for this purpose.” That includes infrastructure grants that went toward truck parking expansion in Florida and Tennessee.
When asked by Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del, Buttigieg also said he supported recent legislation introduced in the Senate that would accelerate deployment of heavy trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
“It’s one thing for cars [to be zero-emission], the story is more complicated for trucks,” Buttigieg stated. “In addition to the trucking and fuel infrastructure discretionary grant program we just put out, I would certainly be interested in expanding the support for this technology. There’s no question hydrogen will become more important.”
Source: FreightWaves
