May 1, 2007
U.S. trucks will begin operating in Mexico for the first time ever starting at the same time Mexican trucks begin operating north of the commercial border zone in the U.S., despite protests from safety and consumer organizations.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters said the change was part of "improvements" to the cross-border program based on recent conversations with the Mexican government and the U.S. Congress.
We are working to give American truckers an unprecedented opportunity to compete in a substantial new market, Peters said. This announcement puts the program on track to lower costs for U.S. consumers, make our economy more competitive and give U.S. truckers new business opportunities.
In April, Public Citizen and several environmental and labor groups sued the federal government to challenge the program, which will authorize up to 100 trucking companies based in Mexico to perform long-haul operations within the United States.
The groups contend that the project violates federal requirements that the public receive notice and time to comment, and that it would have significant environmental and public safety repercussions.
This so-called pilot program was rushed through in secrecy to serve as a showpiece to permit the Bush administration to proclaim victory and declare the entire southern border open to unfettered, long-haul truck commerce before the end of 2008, said Joan Claybrook, president of Public Citizen. Congress and the courts should not allow it.More Efficient
The government announced the program in February, saying it would eliminate what has been described as the current cumbersome, outdated and costly system of moving freight across the border, and replace it with an efficient, transparent and safe cross-border trucking process.
Peters denied there were safety risks. The programs safety developments have been guided by, but not limited to, requirements established by Congress in 2002, she said.
The Departments independent Inspector General has also certified that the program substantially meets eight criteria addressing inspector training, inspection facilities and the development of safety procedures, Peters added.
As part of the program, U.S. inspectors will conduct in-person safety audits to ensure participating Mexican companies comply with U.S. safety regulations. The Department also will require all Mexican truck drivers to hold a valid commercial drivers license, comply with U.S. medical requirements, comply with all U.S. hours-of-service rules and be able to understand questions and directions in English.
Mexican truck companies that are allowed to participate must have insurance with a U.S.-licensed firm and meet all U.S. safety standards, including drug and alcohol testing. Companies that meet these stringent standards will be allowed to make international pick up and deliveries only.
Mexico-domiciled motor carriers currently are permitted to operate in the United States only in specified commercial zones along the southern borders of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The zones vary in size from approximately three to 20 miles inland from the U.S. border.
