Welcome back and thanks for reading The Bottom Line! Today I’m going to talk a little more about the PUCO and some upcoming events that might make things a little bit easier!
As stated in my previous entry, and as you’re probably all aware by now, “the PUCO approved rules to improve safety among motor carriers that use vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 10,001 to 26,000 pounds to transport property or passengers on a not-for-hire basis within Ohio.” – PUCO Press Release You can view the full Commission entry here: 09-223 Listening Session Order
Because there has been so much confusion and too many rumors about what it all means, last week the agency announced that it would be holding ‘listening sessions’ throughout the state. These sessions invite Ohio’s motor carrier community to appeal to the agency on topics such as the financial costs of compliance.
The PUCO decided late last year to delay the enforcement of these new rules until 2012 on account of too few carriers having been properly educated on the changes, which proves they’ll listen if you speak up.
The following is the schedule for the meetings:
Feb. 9, 2011 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Grove City Municipal Building, Council Chambers
4035 Broadway
Grove City, Ohio 43123
Feb. 22, 2011 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Middletown City Building, Council Chambers
1 Donham Plaza
Middletown, Ohio 45042
Feb. 23, 2011 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Oliver R. Ocasek Government Center, Auditorium
161 South High Street
Akron, Ohio 44038
Feb. 24, 2011 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Findlay Municipal Building, Council Chambers
318 Dorney Plaza
Findlay, Ohio 45840
March 1, 2011 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Cambridge Municipal Court
150 Highland Avenue, Suite 1
Cambridge, Ohio 43725
I would suggest taking the full schedule of rule changes with you when you go. NEW RULES: Click Here To View: new safety rules for private intrastate vehicles Those of us in the transportation industry know full well what additional legislation means to the cost of operating a profitable business and ultimately to the cost of freight passed to consumers. And we all know that additional legislation isn’t going to help a still-limping economy.
The Bottom Line: The PUCO regulations aren’t going to go away. In fact, they’re getting stricter and more restrictive all time. The fines will be substantial when they start levying them next January. Learn even more about their effect on your business and make your voice heard by attending one of the above sessions.
Hopefully you’ll check back soon to see our weekly updates. And always, if you have any questions for the Truck Insurance Pro…please just let us know and we’ll get back to you ASAP!
Keep on Rollin’!
Jason Stevenson
Truck Insurance Pro
a division of
The Hoffman Group
800.826.4006
jstevenson@thehoffmangrp.com
