Ever since the announcement of the “new cross-border deal” with Mexico, and upon finding out that US taxpayers and truck drivers would be paying for the Electronic on-board Recorders (EOBR) for the Mexican trucks.
The question of “why” are we having to pay for the equipment (EOBRs) that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is requiring Mexican trucks to have in order to operate in the US still remains.
It is an absolute slap in the face to American truck drivers that they will have to give up some of their freight lanes to these Mexican trucks, not only are American truck drivers losing the pay from these freight lanes, but they will be paying for the EOBRs on the Mexican trucks too. This is NOT RIGHT at all the question of “why” still needs to be explained. Anne Ferro head of the FMCSA tried to explain “why” at the annual meeting of the Truckload Carriers Association yesterday.
She explained that under the North American Free Trade Agreement, the U.S. cannot require Mexican carriers to do anything that U.S. carriers are not required to do, but the agency still must provide a way to monitor those carriers for compliance with both the hours of service rules and the cabotage rules that restrict freight hauling between points in the U.S.
Well, I think this should have been taken into consideration BEFORE and agreement between Mexico and the US was agreed upon. It’s NOT RIGHT by anyone’s view that Americans should have to pay for EOBRs required in this deal for Mexican trucks to operate here in the US. You can explain whatever you like, but it is just pouring salt on the wound.
“We can’t require them to purchase EOBRs because we don’t require (U.S. carriers) to do it yet, so we propose to pay for those for a limited duration,” she said. “The duration would be until the pilot program is over – “probably three years” – or until the agency’s proposed near-universal EOBR mandate takes effect”, she said.
And then what? We get the EOBRs back? Or are they required to purchase them at the full price? She explained in the pilot program initiated by the Bush administration, which Congress killed in 2009, FMCSA bought GPS systems for the Mexican carriers. It was not right back then either. This whole deal is shady to say the least. But, then again anything this administration does has been “shady,” remember Obama care, Dream Act, Cap and Trade need I go on?
In 1995 the US and Mexico started a pilot program to allow Mexican trucks to travel throughout the US delivering loads brought in from Mexico. The US trucks were allowed to do the same in Mexico, but safety and security concerns spurred the United States to bar Mexican trucks on U.S. roadways. 16 years later the safety and security concerns still exist, but Obama agreed to allow the Mexican trucks back into the US.
That program cost about $250,000, Ferro said. The budget for the EOBR program is between $500,000 and $700,000, she said. The EOBRs have went up in cost? Wow! So, if FMCSA is going to buy these EOBRs for the Mexican trucks, are they going to buy them for the American trucks as well? I’m guessing that is a no answer, as any of these regulations set forth on the American trucking industry – cost truckers money and jobs.
Ferro said the agency will publish its proposal for the border opening in a matter of weeks. At that point the public will have a chance to comment, before the deal is made final. And you can bet that will be done too. In NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM should we (Americans) PAY FOR ANYTHING for this “deal.”
One last point to this whole mess. “Immigrants” who come to the US to work are SUPPOSED to do it legally, I have no problem with that. While allowing these Mexican trucks into the US, they are SUPPOSED to be inspected too, I don’t have a problem with that either. If things went the way they were SUPPOSED too, then I would not have any problems with any of this.
Why do you suppose I have a problem with all of this?
Sources:
Ferro Explains FMCSA Approach to Mexican EOBR Decision – Truckinginfo.com
Why are US-Taxpayers going to be Funding Equipment for Mexican Trucks?
Ray LaHood: ‘Americans should pay for EOBRs for Mexican Trucks‘ – Conservative Outpost
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What a crock! There is no excuse for this to be happening. Well written article, Jason.