OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May. 2, 2013--
Werner Enterprises’ President and COO Derek Leathers appeared before
Congress at a hearing of the Panel on 21st Century Freight
Transportation. Leathers advised the Special Panel of the Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee that Congress should address the trucking
industry’s needs in order to improve efficiency and productivity, as
trucks move 68 percent of the nation’s freight tonnage and are also
crucial to the freight moved by rail, air, and water.
Leathers recommended lawmakers address the Highway Trust Fund, which is,
for all intents and purposes, bankrupt. The highway system is the
lifeblood of the trucking industry and key in moving all modes of
freight. Currently, congestion is estimated to cost the trucking
industry $27 billion, which is passed on to shippers and ultimately
consumers. Additionally, it is estimated that 31 percent of travel
occurs on poor quality pavement, resulting in higher freight costs due
to greater vehicle repair expenditures and more potential for damaged
goods. Leathers advocated augmenting the current fuel tax system, with
all funds dedicated solely to the highway system and highway projects.
“The fuel tax is still a viable source of revenue and can continue to be
the primary source of funding for highways for many years,” stated
Leathers. “However, the rate of taxation must be adjusted to account for
inflation and fuel efficiency improvements. The ATA (American Trucking
Associations) supports an increase in the fuel tax rate, indexing of the
tax rate or a combination of the two. This is the most efficient and
least harmful way to prevent a catastrophic collapse of the federal-aid
highway program.” Leathers further supported the fuel tax funding,
stating that no other source of funding “will produce the level of
revenues needed to meet current and future highway infrastructure needs,
is easy and inexpensive to collect, has a low evasion rate, is tied to
highway use and does not create impediments to interstate commerce.”
Leathers also presented information regarding industry improvements in
the areas of safety and greenhouse gas reduction and spoke in support of
improving intermodal infrastructure and equipment roadability programs
and giving states more flexibility and autonomy regarding the use of
more productive trucks to meet current and future freight demands.
Leathers’ overall testimony was supported by multiple studies conducted
by organizations which include the American Society of Civil Engineers,
the U.S. Department of Transportation, the American Transportation
Research Institute and others.
Werner Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1956 and is a premier
transportation and logistics company, with coverage throughout North
America, Asia, Europe, South America, Africa and Australia. Werner
maintains its global headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska and maintains
offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and Australia.
Werner is among the five largest truckload carriers in the United
States, with a diversified portfolio of transportation services that
includes dedicated van, temperature-controlled and flatbed;
medium-to-long-haul, regional and local van; and expedited services.
Werner's Value Added Services portfolio includes freight management,
truck brokerage, intermodal, and international services. International
services are provided through Werner’s domestic and global subsidiary
companies and include ocean, air and ground transportation; freight
forwarding; and customs brokerage.
Werner Enterprises, Inc.’s common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global
Select MarketSM under the symbol “WERN”. For further
information about Werner or to view the complete statement of Derek J.
Leathers to the Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation,
visit the Company’s website at www.werner.com.
Source: Werner Enterprises
Werner Enterprises
Fred Thayer, 402-895-6640 ext. 2065
Director
of Corporate Communications