Page 12 - ATR 4 2014 web

News iN brief, Maverick, predominantly a flatbed
Continued from page 11 carrier, requires highly structured train-
ing. Proper load securement and an
gram aims to provide affordable used emphasis on safety have always been
trucks with strong vehicle uptime. Even hallmarks of Maverick’s training pro-
though the trucks are used, Navistar gram.
hopes to deliver the “new truck experi- Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe I-40
ence.” was also on hand to speak to the capac-
Following a 180-point vehicle ity crowd and praise Williams for his
and engine inspection process, eli- efforts. While Beebe’s remarks may
gible used trucks undergo refurbish- have been brief, he made it clear
ment at Navistar’s Used Equipment that Williams and Maverick don’t take
Reconditioning Center (UERC) in any shortcuts. “They are the best I’ve
Indianapolis, Ind. The center cleans or ever seen at what they do. He’ll pay
replaces diesel particulate filters and more, he’ll do more, and he’ll respond TOLL
diesel oxidation catalysts, calibrates more. It’s easy for folks to take the low
EGR software updates, checks and road. It’s never been an option for this LANE
repairs brake systems and even con- company,” Beebe said. “Arkansas is
ducts major body repair among other noted for great trucking companies, but
refurbishing needs. They have already this is absolutely the best.”
reconditioned 1,200 units to “Diamond Seventy-five percent of Maverick’s
Renewed” standards. drivers come to the company without allowing three states to pilot the con-
Navistar’s effort in the used truck previous experience, so the cost for cept of funding interstate infrastructure
market is dovetailed with continued training them is expensive. Williams costs through tolls.
strong demand, as data tracked by ACT estimates the number to currently Missouri, Virginia and North
Research Co. indicates that the volume be approximately $10,000 per driver. Carolina have been selected to test the
of used Class 8 trucks sold in June rose “And we don’t know if that indi- project by adding a toll lane, but the
10 percent above May’s volume. vidual, once they graduate, get the states have been slow to make prog-
“While one month does not make keys to that truck, will be with us ress. “[Arkansas is] ready if one of the
a trend, it confirms that demand in one day or the rest of their lives,” he other states drops out or the federal
the used truck market remains strong,” said. Williams added retaining over- government (eases its) restrictions,”
Gerrard said. the-road drivers can be tough when the Arkansas Highway and Transportation
natural gas industry can pay its drivers Department spokesman Randy Ort said
mavErICk opEns nEW much better wages. in a Little Rock meeting when the study
TraInIng faCIlITy was released.
Maverick recently hosted the open- I-40 Toll lanEs The study determined that a toll
ing of their newly expanded training Results of a study ordered by the cost of 9 cents per mile (or $9.90 for a
center with more than 13,000 addi- Arkansas Highway Commission show one-way trip between North Little Rock
tional square feet. The $4 million center tolls could pay for extra lanes on and Memphis) for cars and 27 cents per
now has multiple adjustable classrooms Interstate 40 between North Little Rock mile (or $29.70 for the whole stretch)
and five new training bays, enough to and West Memphis. for commercial trucks would provide
train 210 drivers at any time. Currently, the 110-mile section has the funding for an extra lane in each
just two lanes in direction of the 110-mile section.
Maverick training facility both directions. There are no current plans to create
Despite the toll roads, and Danny Straessle, AHTD
study’s findings, spokesman, said that the study was just to
federal law bans explore the feasibility of such a project.
charging tolls Shannon Newton, president of the
on interstates, Arkansas Trucking Association, said the
except under lim- industry would instead favor raising the
ited circumstances. federal tax on diesel fuel.
However, the fed-
eral transporta-
tion department is 

12 ArkAnsAs truckinG rePort | issue 4 2014