With the growing necessity to ensure adequate parking for truckers, the Truckload Carriers Association recently appealed to Congress to address this critical issue.
During the sixth annual “Call on Washington” this September, TCA members engaged with lawmakers, legislative aides, and industry specialists.
David Heller, TCA’s Senior VP for Safety and Government Affairs, described the event as a pivotal platform to spotlight significant industry concerns.
Beyond advocating for increased parking accessibility, TCA participants voiced issues regarding the shift to electric vehicles and the emission standards set during the Biden administration.
The association also highlighted the importance of the independent contractor model and discussed strategies for workforce recruitment and retention. Throughout the week of September 9, TCA hosted panels featuring industry stakeholders and government officials.
“The feedback from our members who attended these meetings was overwhelmingly positive,” Heller mentioned to Transport Topics on September 13, following TCA’s Capitol Hill engagements. “Workforce-related issues are frequently intertwined with these discussions.”
The annual “fly-in” method employed by groups like TCA aims to optimize engagement with policymakers by facilitating in-person discussions. Heller noted that TCA conducted around 100 meetings during this year’s fly-in, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of the trucking industry’s daily challenges to lawmakers.
A transportation funding bill for fiscal 2025, currently under review in the House, proposes $200 million for expanding truck parking facilities. The bill awaits a vote for presidential approval. TCA supports the truck parking provision along with other freight stakeholders.
Should this funding proposal not pass for fiscal 2025, Heller remains hopeful for its inclusion in the forthcoming comprehensive highway policy legislation. “We recognize the pressing issue of truck parking and its prioritization by professional drivers,” he stated.
Earlier this year, TCA celebrated its drivers of the year, who were present at the “Call on Washington” discussions on Capitol Hill.
Tim Chelette, an esteemed driver with Big G Express and previous America’s Road Team captain, raised significant parking concerns, stating, “If they want their freight, [then] they need to have places for us to park as well, along with a bigger truck stop. You could go in some of these states, and they have a rest area that you could put 500 trucks in and you go in another state and you can’t move but 15, maybe 20 trucks.”
These parking issues were echoed by fellow TCA drivers of the year. James White from P&S Logistics remarked, “Hopefully we can get something done.”
Rosalinda Tejada, representing Knight Transportation, emphasized the value of Capitol Hill interactions. “We’re able to adequately educate those people who might want to come [into] the industry or have questions,” she explained. “Given the platform awarded to us as truck drivers of the year, it’s up to us to determine its potential.”
Clark Reed, a seasoned driver with Nussbaum Transportation, emphasized the critical role of drivers. “This is such a noble profession that, like we talked about, we keep this economy rolling,” Reed said. “If it wasn’t for us, and this sounds very conceited, but if it wasn’t for us, nothing would be here. We wouldn’t have anything.”
Source: Transport Topics
