MEXICAN TRUCK ACCESS TO THE U. S. DELAYED

Waiting for Mexico's plan for U.S. trucks

A pilot program that would allow greater Mexican truck access to the U.S. will be delayed until the Mexican government comes up with a similar plan for U.S. trucks entering Mexico, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced this week. DOT would not give a timeline on when the pilot would start, but said it hinged on when Mexican authorities could approve applications for U.S. companies to operate in Mexico. Many believe the DOT announcement is in reaction of congressional outrage in some sectors over long-haul access to U.S. cities for Mexican trucks owned by up to 100 Mexican firms based on the perceived lack of driver training standards, safety, etc. So far, DOT has certified 27 Mexican carriers based upon requirements that all Mexican drivers and trucks operate under all applicable U.S. commercial trucking regulations.