The issue of greatest concern to the intermodal trucking industry serving the Port of New York and New Jersey continues to be the Clean Air Strategies Truck Phase-Out mandate, scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2017. The overly aggressive phase-out schedule that was proposed back in 2009 will devastate the intermodal community, and must be changed to avert a large-scale service crisis.
Truck replacement funding has not materialized in the amount or frequency that would have made the deadline achievable, and Bi-State has worked tirelessly over the past year to advocate for its members and to have the deadline modified in order to avert economic disaster. As of this writing, more than 70 percent of the trucks currently serving the port will be unable to do so in 2017. The current phase-out schedule is under review.
We believe that a mandated phase-out of any kind imposes an unfair burden for motor carriers serving the port, and assigns blame where it does not belong. Nevertheless, we also understand the community's desire for a reduction in emissions and a cleaner environment. We pledge to continue to working with all parties to reach a level of agreement that works toward that goal, while still allowing the intermodal trucking industry to continue serving the port, preserving the billions of dollars worth of jobs and federal, state and local revenue that we contribute to the region’s economy.
Other challenges facing the intermodal trucking industry in our region include chronic port congestion, equipment shortages, and skyrocketing tariffs and fees that hinder our ability to conduct business efficiently. We will continue working to implement solutions to these issues and effect positive change.
Jeffrey A. Bader, President, Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers