Truckers are among the many unsung heroes as we get through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
While millions of people are quarantined or working from home, truckers are working to keep the country supplied. Millions of truck drivers have been working long hours to keep stores, hospitals, and shelves everywhere stocked.
Strong Demand for Goods is Increasing Spot Rates
Trucking companies are riding a surge in cargo demand from consumers stockpiling basic goods, resulting in a spike of deliveries. Data from DAT shows spot rates (the cost to hire a last-minute truck on the open market) have jumped 6.1 percent since late February 2020. It also shows that rates for 63 of America’s 100 most high-volume truck routes have risen. Load-to-truck ratios have risen above 2019 levels as well.
DOT Provides Regulatory Relief to Truckers
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently issued an expanded national emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief to commercial vehicle drivers transporting emergency goods such as as masks, gloves, groceries, fuel, and equipment for building temporary housing or quarantine spaces. The declaration stipulates that drives must take a minimum 10-hour break after they’ve dropped off their loads, and to stop driving if they feel drowsy at any point. This move by the FMCSA was soundly endorsed by the American Trucking Associations.
People Are Coming Together to Support Truckers
In addition to long shifts traveling hundreds of miles to transport goods, shelter-in-place orders are not making things easier. Some truckers are faced with the difficulty of getting basic hygiene needs or a hot meal. They can’t go through a drive-thru in their massive semi-trucks, and many restaurant dining rooms are closed.
Numerous companies, travel centers, restaurants, and residents across North America are going above and beyond to ensure that truckers are taken care of. Acts of kindness include:
- Fast food giant McDonalds creating trucker curbside lanes to bring their meal to them
- PennFleet offering their 5-acre parking lot with porta-potty access and free snacks
- Rest stops remaining open with laundry, restroom, and shower access
- TBS Factoring Services providing sack lunches along Interstate 35 in Oklahoma
Thousands are also taking to social media with the hashtag #ThankATrucker to send their thanks.
Thank You from BNSF Logistics
Truckers are the very backbone of our supply chains. BNSF Logistics thanks the truck driver community for their continued efforts keeping our businesses and nation operating seamlessly. Because of you, we can keep our economy moving!
THANK YOU!
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