Looking ahead to the rest of 2019, there are several common concerns cited by many fleet managers. Most notably, the Cass Freight Index has logged a significant drop in how much cargo is being shipped, with a commensurate drop in cargo rates that is hurting independent truckers and larger fleets alike. The decline in cargo rates is especially problematic given that expenses facing fleets continue to rise. Fleets are also experiencing a driver shortage, and have also found that dishonesty by recruiters has led many drivers to not believe that pay increases offered by fleets are even real. There are also concerns about how prepared the industry is for new technologies such as electric trucks, the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence, and other major developments.
Key Takeaways:
- While some people point out that comparing rates to the highs of last year might not really be a fair comparison, our advisory board members were definitely concerned
- According to the National Transportation Institute’s first-quarter figures, fleets are offering fewer drivers wage increases in the first quarter of 2019 when compared to last year
- Despite all the new tech on the horizon, fleet managers still have to think about their equipment now and in the near future, whether it’s spec’ing or maintaining it.
“We’re nearly halfway through 2019, so I asked HDT’s Editorial Advisory Board what current trends and issues are most on their minds.”
Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/334554/5-things-fleets-are-concerned-about-in-mid-2019