Thread: Mexican,US Trucks To Start Cross-Border Program At Same Time

Mexican, US trucks to start cross-border program at same time

05/01/2007

WASHINGTON -- Despite vocal opposition from safety and protectionist groups, U.S. trucks will soon begin operating in Mexico for the first time ever -- starting at the same time Mexican trucks begin operating north of the commercial border zone in the U.S. as part of a cross-border trucking demonstration program.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters made the announcement late Monday. She noted that the change was based on recent conversations with the Mexican government and the U.S. Congress. "We are working to give American truckers an unprecedented opportunity to compete in a substantial new market," Peters said. "This announcement puts the program on track to lower costs for U.S. consumers, make our economy more competitive and give U.S. truckers new business opportunities."



In February, the Department of Transportation announced a yearlong demonstration program to expand cross-border trucking operations with Mexico. The program is designed to eliminate the current cumbersome, outdated and costly system of moving freight across the border, and replace it with an efficient, transparent and safe cross-border trucking process.
The DOT said the move means the U.S. will likely have to delay its plan to allow Mexican trucks north of the border until American trucks are permitted into Mexico, and that it will take public comments on the program this month.

Meanwhile, according to Land Line magazine, the Mexican Senate is also voting to delay cross-border reciprocity until July.

The program's safety developments have been guided by, but not limited to, requirements established by Congress in 2002. The department's independent Inspector General has also certified that the program substantially meets eight criteria addressing inspector training, inspection facilities and the development of safety procedures.

The department has invested $500 million since 1995 to modernize border safety facilities and hire and train the more than 500 federal and state inspectors who inspect trucks crossing the border every day.

As part of the program, U.S. inspectors will conduct in-person safety audits to ensure participating Mexican companies comply with U.S. safety regulations. The department also will require all Mexican truck drivers to hold a valid commercial drivers license, comply with U.S. medical requirements, comply with all U.S. hours of service rules and be able to understand questions and directions in English.

Mexican truck companies that are allowed to participate must have insurance with a U.S.-licensed firm and meet all U.S. safety standards, including drug and alcohol testing. Companies that meet these stringent standards will be allowed to make international pick up and deliveries only.

Meanwhile, a lawsuit against the FMCSA was filed last week in federal court. The Teamsters, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and Public Citizen claim the Bush administration violated federal law by failing to "publish proper, advance notice of the pilot project and by not allowing an opportunity for public comment before the program takes effect."

-- via Truckinginfo.com




http://www.todaystrucking.com/news.cfm?intDocID=17833

"We are working to give American truckers an unprecedented opportunity to compete in a substantial new market," Peters said. "This announcement puts the program on track to lower costs for U.S. consumers, make our economy more competitive and give U.S. truckers new business opportunities."

Yeah, and eventually lower wages for the truckers. How can the American truckers support this? Oh, the American truckers probably aren't supporting it, but their bosses and company owners are. IMHO, if there was ever a reason for American truckers to strike, this is it!

Besides all this, once again the American people are not a consideration (much like the illegal immigrant and border security issue). Now we have drunk illegals killing us on our own highways and in the near future we'll have overworked pill popping truckers killing us too.

Is there no end to the insanity?????????

How many drugs, illegals, armies, weapons, human trafficing can be accomomplished with Mexican trucks? There is a disaster headed our way!