Page 14 - ATR 2 2020 digital

NEWS IN BRIEF, come in the form of payment deferrals Trucking Associations announced the
Continued from page 13 on loans, lines of credit or access to cancellation of the National Truck
additional working capital. Driving Championships & National
Like much of the country, Tyson “As the largest financier of trucks Step Van Driving Championships
drivers have seen a dearth of food and trailers in North America, we are (NTDC/NSVDC) this year, which
options and clean facilities, so the task addressing the specific issues of this was scheduled for August 19-22 in
force has advocated for drivers. As a critical part of the economy,” BMO Indianapolis, Ind.
result of Tyson Food’s efforts, many said in the statement. “Our goal is to “Our industry’s creed and the very
goods and services that their drivers keep trucks on the road and commerce spirit of these competitions is ‘safety
depend on are now more accessible. flowing.” first,’ and this decision reflects that,”
Tyson Foods has provided care packages ATA President Chris Spear said in a let-
containing protective gear cleaning sup- TRUCKING CALENDAR CHANGES ter to drivers, ATA members, state asso-
plies to its own drivers and food bags Preventing the spread of a new ciation executives. “It’s made out of an
to drivers of and beyond its own fleet dangerous virus has uprooted the plans abundance of caution on behalf of the
across the state. of almost everyone on Earth. All of the professional drivers competing at the
Associate director of transportation events we would normally gather for state level, along with the state associa-
Josh Howard said, “The transportation (birthdays, holy days, big games, gradu- tions, companies and family members
group specifically is working hard to ations, memorials, concerts, ceremo- who organize, host and cheer on the
keep food on-hand at our terminals for nies) are being re-examined as possible competitors.”
any driver passing through. We are also vectors for illness. Arkansas Trucking Spear noted that this is the first
going to various locations and truck Association has had to look at its own time since World War II that the event
stops across the state to hand out food calendar and pivot to accommodate has been canceled.
bags to all drivers and offer a sincere current guidance about gatherings. “Thank you for every mile you run
thank you for everything they are doing. ATA’s Annual Business Conference and every delivery you make,” Spear
“One of the most important things & Vendor Showcase has been resched- wrote. “You make your families, our
to remember right now is this is most uled for August 17-18 in Rogers, Ark. industry and entire country proud.”
likely a marathon, not a sprint. The The event was originally set to take
attention and gratitude that our driv- place on May 5-7, but the new dates will GPS DATA SHOWS TRUCKS ARE
ers are seeing right now is great, but allow time to observe social distanc- MOVING MORE EFFICIENTLY
we must do all we can to sustain it ing guidelines and plan a speaker and DURING COVID-19
throughout this crisis. The drivers will topic lineup that addresses the changing The American Transportation
need our support tomorrow, next week, realities of what’s next for navigating Research Institute has released new
next month… just as they do today,” the rebounding of our economy as well data showing that trucks are continu-
Howard said in an email. as safety, shifting regulations, technol- ing to move — in many cases faster than
ogy and politics. usual — to respond to the demands
BMO, BIG TRUCKING INDUSTRY The Arkansas Trucking placed on the industry by the COVID-
LENDER, LAUNCHES HARDSHIP Championships have been held for over 19 pandemic.
PROGRAM 50 years to recognize the professional- In February, ATRI released its
BMO Harris Bank, one of the larg- ism of truck drivers and technicians list of top bottlenecks in the country
est lenders to the trucking industry, and celebrate their commitment to safe- where congestion for trucks is the
introduced a financial relief program ty. The competitors show off impressive most challenging. Those locations,
for those impacted by COVID-19. skills and outstanding safety records, just a month later, saw traffic reduce
Relief for small businesses and cus- but even more important they have a drastically as cities and states began
tomers may include payment deferrals chance to build camaraderie with their directing quarantines for citizens
on credit cards, mortgages, home equity, colleagues. Because we have so much exposed to the coronavirus or social
auto, personal and small business loans respect for the professionals in our field, distancing for everyone to prevent the
for up to three months; fee waivers for we are doing everything we can to keep virus’ spread.
checking and savings accounts; and them and their families safe. “ATRI’s real-time GPS data comes
removing some penalties. The bank has That is why Arkansas Trucking from more than a million trucks, allow-
also paused foreclosure and repossession Association has made the difficult ing us to analyze freight flows, and so
actions for consumers with COVID-19 decision to cancel our state trucking far in March, what we are seeing is an
related circumstances. championship, which was scheduled unprecedented level of truck move-
For corporate clients, BMO is tai- to be held June 11-13 in Rogers, Ark. ment,” said ATRI President and COO
loring relief to each business. Aid may This decision comes after the American Rebecca Brewster. “Not only are trucks

14 Issue 2 2020 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT