Dart Transit Company's 2,300 independent contractors have been asked by Dart President Donald G. Oren to contact each of their U.S. legislators and urge support of The Motor Carrier Fuel Cost Equity Act of 2002 (S1914). Dart, an early supporter of the fuel surcharge legislation, is part of an impressive list of lawmakers and associations who recognize the need for immediate action.

"This bill provides a mandatory fuel surcharge to offset high fuel prices," said Oren. "Dart has been paying a surcharge to its owner-operators, even though not all shippers pay.

"Simply put, the current situation with unstable fuel surcharge payments by shippers is unfair and harmful to independent owner-operators. My reason for supporting this legislation is very simple - it's the right thing to do," Oren added.

The national average cost of diesel fuel increased Sept. 30 to $1.438 from last week's average of $1.417, marking the seventh consecutive week prices have risen.

In recent days, the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) along with Sens. Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Jean Carnahan (D-MO) added their support along with 26 other U.S. legislators who back the legislation. S1914 is also sponsored in the Senate by Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Kit Bond (R-MO) and Zell Miller (D-GA).

The bill requires all shippers to pay carriers a fair fuel surcharge. Carriers in turn must pass through all amounts collected to their owner-operators.

"I urge all truckers to thank by phone or letter the representatives and senators in their states who already support this bill," said Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) Executive Vice President Todd Spencer: "As anyone can see by the steady increase in fuel prices, this legislation is must-protection for owner-operators and carriers and for the services they provide."

"With the inability of many carriers to collect their fuel surcharges as diesel fuel prices rise, it has become imperative that we handle the issue of fuel surcharge with legislation," said Bob Molinaro, president, Warren Transport, Waterloo, IA, and chairman of TCA's Fuel Surcharge Task Force.

In a statement, TCA added: "TCA joins with the OOIDA in support of the Motor Carrier Fuel Cost Equity Act of 2002. The need for such legislation is absolutely critical to the survival of truck owner-operators and truckload carriers, and to the stability of the trucking industry in general and the overall economy."

"While our list of supporters is growing, time is running out for lawmakers to pass these bills before they adjourn for the year," Spencer said. "Every trucker should focus right now on the U.S. Senate urging those lawmakers to pass S1914 right away."

House sponsors include Reps. Nick Rahall (D-WV); Alan B. Mollohan (D-WV); Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV); Sherrod Brown (D-OH); Ted Strickland (D-OH); Robert W. Ney (R-OH); Roy Blunt (R-MO); Ike Skelton (D-MO); David Bonior (D-MI); John Dingell (D-MI); William O. Lipinski (D-IL); Corrine Brown (D-FL); Nick Lampson (D-TX); J. Randy Forbes (R-VA); Jo Ann Davis (R-VA); Tim Holden (D-PA); Adam Smith (D-WA); Mike Ross (D-AR); Bart Gordon (D-TN); John M. Spratt Jr. (D-SC); and Michael "Mac" Collins (R-GA).
-- Dick Larsen, senior editor