NEW YORK and SINGAPORE, April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — LogiNext, a global SaaS company optimizing and automating the world of transportation and e-commerce logistics, today announced a milestone partnership with Daraz, a leading shopping-commerce platform owned by Alibaba Group. This partnership involved rolling out the LogiNext Mile platform over which Daraz has optimised and automated millions of orders over the past four years resulting in Asia’s largest eCommerce carrier network.

Through this partnership, Daraz got access to LogiNext’s Mile platform for its Logistics Marketplace recently launched for a potential end customer base of 1 billion+ to empower local logistics businesses and establish their businesses with Daraz. LogiNext’s platform automates order capturing, scheduling, delivery associate compliance, handling peak event sales and the end to end customer experience for these smaller businesses supported by Daraz in its countries.

For LogiNext, a pioneer in the field of logistics automation in North America, working with Daraz was a way to make inroads in Asia via a forward-looking high-tech e-commerce environment that Daraz fosters. Together, the partnership has improved Daraz Logistics Marketplace’s Last Mile deliveries by tracking and accessing billions of location data points to deliver a superior customer experience to millions of end customers.

“LogiNext’s Mile platform has been leveraged by several premier e-commerce giants across the globe. This partnership with Daraz has helped us solve some very real on-the-ground logistical issues native to APAC and it has given a framework for upcoming and existing e-commerce giants to usher in the new face of last-mile deliveries built on the basis of a world-class customer experience,” says Mradul Khandelwal, Vice President of Business Development at LogiNext.

“At Daraz, we are always looking to innovate and bring the best technologies available globally for improved customer experience which in return yields to higher business performance. This partnership has proven to be fruitful for Logistics Marketplace. As an Alibaba group company, our goal is to enable anyone to do business anywhere in this digital era – and working with LogiNext has been one of the cornerstones in achieving our goal.” Jorge Miranda, Chief Information Officer at Daraz Group.

Media Contact:
Jubin Mehta
admin@loginextsolutions.com
+1 339 244 0380
Website: www.loginextsolutions.com

FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines is partnering with Uber to create a door-to-door streamlined service to help customers get from home or work to the airport and back. The companies will work together to provide customers faster service, better airport navigation, rider promotions and mileage promotions.

“We’re excited to partner with the only global ride sharing service to offer customers exactly what they’re asking for – a seamless travel experience, whether they’re in the sky or on the ground,” said Scott Hinshaw, American’s director – Partner Marketing. “By working together, we can provide a service that allows customers to request their Uber ride to the airport in step with their itinerary and know where to meet their Uber driver after their flight lands.”

“Whether you’re trying to get home to see your family, or heading to an important business meeting across the country, your travel experience should be seamless. We’re excited to work with American Airlines to ensure passengers have a great door-to-door experience,” said Jonathan DiOrio, Uber’s head of travel partnerships.

American’s customers can now set a reminder for an Uber ride at the push of a button with the help of Uber’s Ride Reminder. After booking their flights on aa.com, American will send the e-ticket confirmation via email, and the customer can click on the “Remind me to Uber” icon to set a reminder for their ride.

The American Airlines app now has added functionality for navigation to guide customers to the nearest Uber pick up location at 11 airports across the country.

Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)
Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
Los Angeles International (LAX)
New York’s John F. Kennedy International (JFK)
New York’s LaGuardia (LGA)

Philadelphia International (PHL) Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)
San Francisco International (SFO)
San Jose International (SJC)
Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)

In addition, customers not currently signed up for Uber can enjoy up to $20 off their next ride when they register their account and use promo code RIDEAA.

American will become the first airline to provide a special one-time offer to select elite members. AAdvantage Executive Platinum members who hold that status as of March 1, 2016, will receive a unique code for up to $25 off their next Uber ride – regardless of whether they have used Uber before. These members will receive their unique code in March.

For a limited time, customers who use their AAdvantage® Aviator™ MasterCard® as the method of payment for Uber purchases will earn two additional bonus miles for every $1 spent on their Uber rides from February 7 through July 31, 2016. Total bonus miles will be awarded after the promotion ends.

This partnership is the latest in a long-term investment American is making to improve and customize the travel experience. Later this year, American will introduce Premium Economy on international routes with the delivery of its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner – raising the bar even higher and providing more choices for global travelers. The airline is investing more than $2 billion in fully lie-flat seats; international Wi-Fi; more in-flight entertainment options and power outlets; a new, modern design for Admirals Club lounges worldwide; and an upgraded assortment of complimentary healthy food, cocktails and more. This is in addition to American’s historic fleet renewal which has delivered 215 new aircraft since 2014 and more than 90 new planes are expected in 2016.

About American Airlines Group
American Airlines and American Eagle offer an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American has hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. American is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members and members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with 14,250 daily flights to 150 countries. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL. In 2015, its stock joined the S&P 500 index. Connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.

WASHINGTON – Amtrak was honored for workplace excellence, earning a spot on the Forbes 2024 list as one of America’s Best Employers. Received for nine consecutive years, this achievement comes as Amtrak builds a workforce to modernize infrastructure, major stations and trains — setting in motion a new era of rail that will change the way America moves.

“It is heartening to receive this award as we build a new generation of expertise that powers our growth,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Robert Grasty. “Amtrak always strives to give employees a positive work experience. We continue to create new programs and design key initiatives aimed at retaining the talented men and women in this company.”

Amtrak hired 4,800 new employees in 2023, increasing the company’s workforce to more than 23,000. This growth comes as Amtrak advances critical infrastructure work, improves safety, reliability and accessibility, enhances the customer experience and launches new and expanded service. Forbes identified the Best Employers through an independent survey with a sample size of more than 170,000 U.S. workers at companies of at least 1,000 within the U.S. The final score is based on direct evaluations among employees as well as friends and family members of employees, or members of the public who work in the same industry.

To stay up to date on career opportunities and join a diverse workforce of individuals dedicated to moving America forward, please visit the Amtrak career site at careers.Amtrak.com.

About Amtrak®
For more than 50 years, Amtrak has connected America and modernized train travel. Offering a safe, environmentally efficient way to reach more than 500 destinations across 46 states and parts of Canada, Amtrak provides travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through the Amtrak app. Learn more at Amtrak.com and connect with us on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

WASHINGTON – Amtrak is contracting with Alstom to produce 28 next-generation high-speed trainsets that will replace the equipment used to provide Amtrak’s premium Acela Express service. The contract is part of $2.45 billion that will be invested on the heavily traveled Northeast Corridor (NEC) as part of a multifaceted modernization program to renew and expand the Acela Express service.

“Amtrak is taking the necessary actions to keep our customers, the Northeast region and the American economy moving forward,” said Amtrak President & CEO Joe Boardman. “These trainsets and the modernization and improvement of infrastructure will provide our customers with the mobility and experience of the future.”

The new trainsets will have one-third more passenger seats, while preserving the spacious, high-end comfort of current Acela Express service. Each trainset will have modern amenities that can be upgraded as customer preferences evolve such as improved Wi-Fi access, personal outlets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights at every seat, enhanced food service and a smoother, more reliable ride.

This procurement comes as demand for Acela Express service is as popular as ever, with many trains selling out during peak travel periods. The new trainsets will allow for increased service including half-hourly Acela Express service between Washington D.C. and New York City during peak hours, and hourly service between New York City and Boston.

“As more people rely on Amtrak, we need modernized equipment and infrastructure to keep the region moving,” said Chairman of the Amtrak Board of Directors Anthony Coscia. “These trainsets will build on the popularity and demand of the current Acela Express and move this company into the future as a leader in providing world-class transportation.”

The new trainsets will operate along the Washington – New York – Boston Northeast Corridor initially at speeds up to 160 mph and will be capable of speeds up to 186 mph and thus will be able to take advantage of future NEC infrastructure improvements.

Additionally, the trainsets use the base design of one of the safest high-speed trainsets. Concentrated power cars, located at each end of the trainset, provide an extra buffer of protection. The trainsets will also meet the latest Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) guidelines including a Crash Energy Management system.

“The next generation of Acela service will mean safer, faster and modern trains for customers throughout the Northeast,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “This investment will pay immediate dividends for businesses and travelers from Washington D.C. to Boston, and the fact that these new trains will be built in Upstate New York makes this project a win-win. These New York-made Acela trains will soon be zipping along the Northeast Corridor and – as a regular customer – I can’t wait for my first ride.”

“The Northeast Corridor is a national economic engine that carries a workforce contributing $50 billion annually to the national GDP,” said U.S. Senator Cory Booker. “Amtrak’s continued investment in modernizing its fleet will only serve to enhance this vital rail link between Boston and Washington D.C. while allowing for safer and faster travel at a time when passenger demand is expected to rise. Strengthening our nation’s infrastructure is essential to the economic growth of our region and the nation and this investment by Amtrak will help ensure the reliable service travelers expect.”

Amtrak is funding the trainsets and infrastructure improvements through the FRA’s Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing program that will be repaid through growth in NEC revenues.

“Amtrak is grateful for all of the support we have received from Congress, especially from Sen. Schumer and Rep. Reed who represents Hornell, New York – home of the Alstom facility,” said Boardman. “We would also like to thank Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson and House Transportation Committee Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio for their leadership on the FAST Act. Additionally, we appreciate the efforts of Senators Booker and Wicker for their support on the inclusion of the rail title, the first time Amtrak reauthorization has been included in surface transportation legislation.”

In addition to the trainsets, Amtrak is also investing in infrastructure needed to improve the on-board and station customer experience that will accommodate the increased high-speed rail service levels. Amtrak will invest in significant station improvements at Washington Union Station, Moynihan Station New York, as well as track capacity and ride quality improvements to the NEC that will benefit both Acela Express riders and other Amtrak and commuter passengers. Amtrak will also modify fleet maintenance facilities to accommodate the new trains.

The trainsets will be manufactured at Alstom’s Hornell and Rochester, N.Y., facilities, creating 400 local jobs. Additionally, parts for the new trainsets will come from more than 350 suppliers in more than 30 states, generating an additional 1,000 jobs across the country.

The first prototype of the new trainsets will be ready in 2019, with the first trainset entering revenue service in 2021. All of the trainsets are expected to be in service, and the current fleet retired, by the end of 2022.

About Amtrak®
Amtrak – America’s Railroad® – is dedicated to safe and reliable mobility as the nation’s intercity passenger rail service provider and its high-speed rail operator. With our state and commuter partners, we move people, the economy and the nation forward, carrying more than 30 million Amtrak passengers for each of the past five years. Formally known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak is governed by a nine member board of directors appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Anthony R. Coscia is board chairman and Jeffrey R. Moreland is vice chairman. Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily – at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) – connecting more than 500 destinations in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Learn more at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and other information. Check us out at blog.Amtrak.com, Like us on Facebook.com and Follow us on Twitter @Amtrak.

WASHINGTON – All 11 members of Amtrak’s executive leadership team signed the Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) Rail Safety Pledge. Recognizing we can save lives together and in honor of U.S. National Safety Month, Amtrak and OLI challenge others to take the pledge and commit to staying safe near railroad tracks and trains.

Those who take the rail safety pledge can use the share button to post on social media. Using the hashtags #IPledgeYouPledge and #RailSafety, Amtrak encourages others to make their own commitment to saving lives:

I will make safe choices around railroad tracks and trains by obeying warning signs and always expecting a train.
I will stay off the tracks including when taking photographs or filming videos and will never walk on or too close to railroad tracks (it’s dangerous and illegal).
I will only walk, ride or drive across railroad tracks at designated crossings.
I will share the rail safety message with my friends and family.
Every 3 hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train. Making the right choices can save lives while railroads continue the vital business of delivering goods and people.

“While we show up every day to deliver a safe experience for our customers, employees and communities, we can only do so much as individuals,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Steve Predmore. “Rail Safety is a team effort. As we continue to grow, the best resource to address track incidents is to come together as one.”

“We urge everyone – kids and adults – to take the rail safety pledge, know the facts, make safe choices and share the rail safety message,” said OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh, “Take the pledge, challenge others to take the pledge, join us in raising rail safety awareness in your community and request a FREE rail safety presentation at oli.org. Together, we can #STOPTrackTragedies.”

According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), trespassing along railroad rights-of-way is the leading cause of rail-related deaths in America, and railroad crossing incidents are the second leading cause. Every time someone trespasses on the tracks, it can lead to devastating results that impact someone’s life, their family, and the community at large.

Amtrak continues to work closely with OLI to #STOPTrackTragedies by emphasizing the dangers of being on rail property or disregarding warnings at crossings. For rail crossing tips, please visit www.stayoffthetracks.org or www.oli.org.

Through a strategic partnership with Uber, Aurora paves a path for delivering the Aurora Driver broadly

At Aurora, we are driven by our mission to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology, and guided by our values, including focus, setting outrageous goals, and creating a culture where we win together. This focus means having clarity about where we need to go and flexibility in how we get there. Today, we’re announcing that we are acquiring Uber’s self-driving unit, Advanced Technologies Group (ATG). ATG’s team and technology will accelerate our mission and the delivery of our first product safely, quickly, and broadly.

“By adding the people and technology of Uber’s Advanced Technologies Group to the incredible group we’ve already assembled at Aurora, we’re shifting the landscape of the automated vehicle space,” said Chris Urmson, co-founder and CEO of Aurora. “With the addition of ATG, Aurora will have an incredibly strong team and technology, a clear path to several markets, and the resources to deliver. Simply put, Aurora will be the company best positioned to deliver the self-driving products necessary to make transportation and logistics safer, more accessible, and less expensive.”

The team at ATG brings expertise, passion, and determination to delivering self-driving vehicles safely to the road. ATG, like Aurora, has been heads down, focused on building. While their advances in software, hardware, product design, and more have flown under the radar, they have made tremendous headway on many fronts. They are committed to rigorous testing and have built a strong safety culture. With their technical prowess in both research and practical applications, ATG will strengthen and accelerate the first Aurora Driver applications for heavy-duty trucks while allowing us to continue and accelerate our work on light-vehicle products.

In addition to acquiring ATG, we are also announcing a strategic partnership with Uber that connects our technology to the world’s leading ride-hailing platform and strengthens our position to deliver the Aurora Driver broadly. While autonomous trucking is where we will deliver our product first, our relationship with Uber puts us in the unique position to be a leading player in both autonomous trucking and passenger mobility. In support of Aurora’s partnership with Uber, Uber is investing $400 million in Aurora and Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is joining our Board.

“Few technologies hold as much promise to improve people’s lives with safe, accessible, and environmentally friendly transportation as self-driving vehicles. For the last five years, our phenomenal team at ATG has been at the forefront of this effort—and in joining forces with Aurora, they are now in pole position to deliver on that promise even faster,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber CEO. “I’m looking forward to working with Chris, and to bringing the Aurora Driver to the Uber network in the years ahead.”

At Aurora we focus on fueling our progress through developing foundational technology, hiring amazing people, and building valuable relationships and partnerships. Today marks an exciting moment for Aurora, the people of ATG, and the future of self-driving technology. The momentum and power of our combined team creates a unique opportunity to realize our mission, and build the technology and products the world needs to make transportation and logistics safer and more accessible.

Finally, and most importantly, welcome to the team, ATG! We’re proud to have you with us.

Aurora

Aurora, founded in 2017 by the leading experts in self-driving, is delivering the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly. The company is building the Aurora Driver, a platform that brings together software, hardware and data services to operate passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles, and heavy-duty trucks across a range of applications. Aurora is backed by Amazon and Sequoia, among others, and tests its vehicles in the Bay Area, Pittsburgh, and Dallas. The company has offices in those three cities and in Bozeman, Montana.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced the availability of approximately $100 million in competitive grant funds through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) new Ladders of Opportunity Initiative. The funds may be used to modernize and expand transit bus service specifically for the purpose of connecting disadvantaged and low-income individuals, veterans, seniors, youths, and others with local workforce training, employment centers, health care, and other vital services.

“Throughout our history, Americans have always been able to leave their children a brighter future, thanks in part to the opportunities transportation has provided,” said Secretary Foxx. “Innovative initiatives like this one can offer people the ladders to success they need to join the middle class, provide for their families, and achieve a better quality of life.”

Program funds may be used to purchase, replace, or rehabilitate transit buses and vans as well as to modernize or construct bus facilities (such as maintenance depots and intermodal facilities) in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Competitive proposals must also directly address ladders of opportunity for riders, including:

Enhancing access to work for individuals lacking ready access to transportation, especially in low-income communities;

Supporting economic opportunities by offering transit access to employment centers, educational and training opportunities, and other basic needs;

Supporting partnerships and coordinated planning among state and local governments and social, human service, and transportation providers to improve coordinated planning and delivery of workforce development, training, education, and basic services to veterans, seniors, youths, and other disadvantaged populations.

“Over half of the roughly 10 billion transit trips taken each year in the United States are by bus—and nearly half the buses people depend on are in marginal or poor condition,” said FTA Deputy Administrator Therese McMillan. “This new initiative will help ensure that millions of riders can count on safe, efficient, reliable bus service that connects them with opportunities and services so essential to daily life.”

Funding for FTA’s Ladders of Opportunity Initiative is drawn from leftover/remaining discretionary grant funds originally available prior to the enactment of MAP-21, as part of FTA’s Bus and Bus Facilities Program. FTA will cover up to 80 percent of the total project cost; a 20 percent local match is required.

PARSIPPANY, N.J., — Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:CAR), a leading provider of vehicle rental services, announced today that it has agreed to acquire its licensee for the Avis and Budget brands in Norway, Sweden and Denmark for approximately $50 million. The licensee being acquired operates both the Avis and Budget brands at major locations throughout the region including Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Sweden’s Arlanda and Goteberg airports.

“The Scandinavian territory represents one of our larger licensee acquisition opportunities and is consistent with our core strategic initiative of expanding our global footprint,” said Ronald L. Nelson, Avis Budget Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Along with the United Kingdom, it will be managed as part of a newly formed Northern unit within the EMEA region.”

The acquisition is expected to add more than $100 million of annual revenue and approximately $10 million of Adjusted EBITDA to Avis Budget Group, after synergies and in addition to the royalties that the licensee was paying to Avis Budget Group. The acquisition is scheduled to close in first quarter 2015, subject to customary closing conditions.

About Avis Budget Group
Avis Budget Group, Inc. is a leading global provider of vehicle rental services, both through its Avis and Budget brands, with more than 10,000 rental locations in approximately 175 countries around the world, and through its Zipcar brand, which is the world’s leading car sharing network, with more than 900,000 members. Avis Budget Group operates most of its car rental offices in North America, Europe and Australia directly, and operates primarily through licensees in other parts of the world. Avis Budget Group has approximately 29,000 employees and is headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. For more information, visit www.avisbudgetgroup.com.

PARSIPPANY, N.J., — Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:CAR), a leading provider of vehicle rental services, announced today that it has agreed to acquire its Budget Car Rental licensee for southern California and Las Vegas for approximately $210 million, plus the cost of acquired fleet.

The licensee being acquired operates directly at Los Angeles International and Bob Hope Burbank airports, as well as numerous local market locations throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It also generates licensing income from its sub-licensees that operate throughout Southern California and in Las Vegas. The acquisition is expected to add $100 million of revenue and more than $25 million of Adjusted EBITDA to Avis Budget Group, after synergies, and is scheduled to close in fourth quarter 2014, subject to customary closing conditions.

“This substantial property is the largest Budget licensee in North America and has been on our acquisition target list for a long time. I’m pleased that we will be able to acquire this strategic asset at a multiple that will be accretive to earnings,” said Ronald L. Nelson, Avis Budget Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Southern California is one of the largest gateway markets for inbound travelers in North America, and operating both the Avis and Budget brands there will allow us to capture more of this profitable business, as well as drive significant revenue and cost synergies.”

Budget Car Rental has operated in southern California since being founded by the Mirkin family in 1958, and the licensee held a long-standing, exclusive, royalty-free right to use the Budget brand there. This acquisition includes owned operations at Los Angeles International Airport, the largest airport in the United States based on revenue. In addition, sub-licensed locations such as Orange County’s John Wayne International Airport, San Diego International Airport and Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport will now become licensees of Avis Budget Group, and the Company will now receive royalties from them.

“This investment will enable us to substantially increase our off-airport presence in southern California, capturing a larger share of this important car rental market,” said Tom Gartland, president, North America, Avis Budget Group. “In addition, we will be able to immediately leverage the existing infrastructure of our existing Avis brand in the region to expand the Budget footprint, enhance brand loyalty and increase our profitable revenue growth.”

Avis Budget Group expects to fund the acquisition with available cash and incremental corporate debt borrowings.

About Avis Budget Group
Avis Budget Group, Inc. is a leading global provider of vehicle rental services, both through its Avis and Budget brands, with more than 10,000 rental locations in approximately 175 countries around the world, and through its Zipcar brand, which is the world’s leading car sharing network, with more than 900,000 members. Avis Budget Group operates most of its car rental offices in North America, Europe and Australia directly, and operates primarily through licensees in other parts of the world. Avis Budget Group has approximately 29,000 employees and is headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. For more information, visit www.avisbudgetgroup.com.

PARSIPPANY, N.J., — Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:CAR) is expanding its presence on social media. The Company today announced that it has launched local Facebook, Foursquare and Google Places pages for each of its Avis Car Rental, Budget Car Rental and Budget Truck Rental facilities in the United States and Canada.

The initiative, the first of this magnitude in the car rental industry, opens the lines of communication with customers on a local level. It allows the brands to proactively target customers with local deals such as one-way offers from a specific facility, promote contests and other special offers and provide customer service support. In addition, it also ensures that Avis, Budget and Budget Truck locations are accurately depicted on Google maps as indicated by a “pin” inserted onto the map for each location.

“Expanding our social media presence to our locations across North America provides our customers with another convenient way to engage with our brands,” said Jeannine Haas, chief marketing officer, North America, Avis Budget Group. “This heightened level of engagement allows us to obtain real-time feedback and insights on our products and services while driving greater loyalty and share of wallet.”

“We are seeing a merging of local searches supplemented by social media feedback,” said Neal Zamore, vice president of consumer marketing, Avis Budget Group. “This initiative leverages this increasing trend and helps our customers find our locations more quickly and accurately — another way we put the customer first.”

To locate a particular Avis, Budget or Budget Truck Rental location in North America on Facebook, Foursquare or Google Maps, search for “Avis Car Rental,” “Budget Car Rental” or “Budget Truck Rental” preceded or followed by the airport name, city or zip code.

About Avis Budget Group
Avis Budget Group, Inc. is a leading global provider of vehicle rental services, both through its Avis and Budget brands, which have more than 10,000 rental locations in approximately 175 countries around the world, and through its Zipcar brand, which is the world’s leading car sharing network, with more than 870,000 members. Avis Budget Group operates most of its car rental offices in North America, Europe and Australia directly, and operates primarily through licensees in other parts of the world. Avis Budget Group has approximately 29,000 employees and is headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. More information is available at www.avisbudgetgroup.com.

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:CAR) today announced that it has signed a new partnership agreement with Silver Airways, a U.S.-owned and operated airline with nearly 200 daily scheduled flights.

Under the exclusive agreement, Avis Car Rental and Budget Car Rental will be designated as Silver Airways’ preferred car rental providers and Silver Airways travelers will receive car rental savings when they rent Avis or Budget vehicles. In addition, Silver Airways travelers will have the opportunity to make Avis and Budget car rental reservations directly on the Silver Airways website, or via phone as part of the call transfer program between the two companies.

“Providing travelers with convenient ways to make car rental reservations is one way we ‘put the customer first,'” said Beth Kinerk, senior vice president of sales, Avis Budget Group. “We’re excited to team up with Silver Airways and provide their passengers with two convenient ways to rent with Avis or Budget. We look forward to serving their rental car needs and generating incremental rental volume.”

The new partnership agreement also includes brand exposure and cross-marketing opportunities between the two companies. For example, Avis and Budget will be featured on Silver Airways’ reservation confirmation pages, confirmation emails and in email campaigns for customers.

“Silver Airways is proud to partner with Avis Budget Group,” said Travis Christ, chief commercial officer, Silver Airways. “We know that our customers in Florida, the Bahamas, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi will be assured of the best rates and service when they rent with Avis or Budget.”

About Avis Budget Group
Avis Budget Group, Inc. is a leading global provider of vehicle rental services, both through its Avis and Budget brands, which have more than 10,000 rental locations in approximately 175 countries around the world, and through its Zipcar brand, which is the world’s leading car sharing network, with more than 850,000 members. Avis Budget Group operates most of its car rental offices in North America, Europe and Australia directly, and operates primarily through licensees in other parts of the world. Avis Budget Group has approximately 30,000 employees and is headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. More information is available at www.avisbudgetgroup.com.

About Silver Airways
Silver Airways Corp. (IATA: 3M) is a U.S. owned and operated airline operating almost 200 daily scheduled flights to/from 46 gateways in Florida, the Bahamas, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio. The airline, which offers more flights within Florida to The Bahamas than any other U.S. airline, has valued partnership and codeshare agreements with United Airlines and interline agreements with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue and US Airways.

Silver Airways is a two-time award winner in 2013, having been recognized by its industry and the traveling public. In February 2013, it was named the recipient of Air Transport World’s 2013 Regional Airline of the Year Award, the first U.S. airline to win regional aviation’s top honor since 2008. This award recognized Silver’s outstanding achievements as well as the company’s contributions toward elevating the entire regional aviation industry overall. In October 2013, Silver Airways was named one of the Top 10 “Best U.S. Airlines” in the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler’s 26th annual 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Silver Airways fleet is comprised of Saab 340B plus aircraft (with a capacity of 34 passengers in a spacious, noise reduction equipped cabin), each powered by highly reliable, fuel-efficient GE jet-turbine propeller engines. The airline also operates Beechcraft 1900D aircraft (maximum seating capacity: 19 passengers) in the airline’s Cleveland network.
The company is privately owned by Victory Park Capital, a Chicago-based investment firm that launched the airline in May 2011.

This Press Release is courtesy www.avisbudgetgroup.com

PARSIPPANY, N.J., – Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:CAR) announced today that SiriusXM is now available to a majority of Avis Car Rental and Budget Car Rental customers via factory-installed satellite radios. The new offering gives customers even easier access to commercial-free music, premier sports talk and live events, comedy, news, exclusive talk and entertainment, and the most comprehensive Latin music, sports, and talk programming in radio. The in-dash access to SiriusXM replaces the portable plug and play satellite radio previously offered to Avis and Budget renters.

Customers can listen to SiriusXM via factory-installed satellite radios in more than 60 percent of the Company’s fleet available at Avis Car Rental and Budget Car Rental locations across the United States.

Avis and Budget renters have access to SiriusXM’s full premium satellite radio lineup, including Howard Stern; Oprah Radio; every NFL, MLB® and NHL® game; every NASCAR® race; 24/7 sports talk on SiriusXM NFL Radio; SiriusXM NASCAR Radio; MLB Network Radio™; SiriusXM NHL® Network Radio; SiriusXM PGA TOUR® Radio; Bob Edwards; Opie & Anthony; IZOD IndyCar® Series races; NBA games; and more.

“SiriusXM continues to be a popular ancillary service with Avis and Budget customers,” said Tom Gartland, president, North America, Avis Budget Group. “Giving our customers access to factory-installed satellite radio not only adds convenience, it is also operationally more efficient. We no longer have to keep track of free-standing units because now we can simply activate the service in the vehicle for customers who add it to their rental.”

SiriusXM is available at major airports and select off-airport locations, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Ore., Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis and Washington, D.C. The service is available for $6.99 for the first rental day, and $3.99 for each additional rental day; $19.99 per week (rentals of five to seven days); and a maximum of $29.95 per rental.

About Avis Budget Group
Avis Budget Group, Inc. is a leading global provider of vehicle rental services, both through its Avis and Budget brands, which have more than 10,000 rental locations in approximately 175 countries around the world, and through its Zipcar brand, which is the world’s leading car sharing network, with more than 860,000 members. Avis Budget Group operates most of its car rental offices in North America, Europe and Australia directly, and operates primarily through licensees in other parts of the world. Avis Budget Group has approximately 29,000 employees and is headquartered in Parsippany, N.J.

This news is courtesy of www.avisbudgetgroup.com.

PARSIPPANY, N.J., — Avis Car Rental today announced that it has signed a new, multi-year partnership agreement with Inspirato, the world’s largest luxury destination club.

As a result of the partnership, Avis has been named Inspirato’s exclusive rental car provider and Inspirato’s more than 8,000 members will receive exclusive offers and discounts from Avis. Inspirato’s team of Personal Vacation Advisors will educate their members about the Avis benefits as part of their trip planning services. In addition, Avis will be featured on the “Partners Programs” page of Inspirato’s website and in member communications. Avis customers will also enjoy exclusive Inspirato membership offers.

Inspirato is a private club that provides its members exclusive access to 245 luxury vacation residences across the United States, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean, as well as custom experiences, VIP events and more. The club’s members also benefit from Inspirato’s on-site Destination Concierge staff who provide personalized assistance during their trips – everything from arranging for babysitters and private chefs, to stocking residences with groceries prior to arrival.

“We’re very excited to work with Inspirato. Our companies share a deep commitment to going the extra mile in every customer interaction, and our natural partnership will result in great benefits to customers on both sides,” said Tom Villani, vice president of global travel and partnerships, Avis Budget Group. “At the same time, our relationship with Inspirato positions us to further accelerate revenue growth with this highly sought-after demographic.”

Avis is the latest company to join Inspirato’s partner program, which is aimed at making the “before, during and after” of each vacation seamless.

“Like Inspirato, Avis is the choice of many discerning travelers,” said Brent Handler, founder and chief executive officer of Inspirato. “Our members expect a higher level of service when they travel with us, so we knew that Avis was the perfect fit when we sought a car rental provider. We’re thrilled with this partnership.”

About Avis
Avis Car Rental operates one of the world’s best-known car rental brands with approximately 5,450 locations in more than 165 countries. Avis has a long history of innovation in the car rental industry and is one of the world’s top brands for customer loyalty. Avis is owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:CAR), which operates and licenses the brand throughout the world. For more information, visit www.avis.com.

About Inspirato
Launched in 2011 and now the largest destination club in the world with hundreds of luxury vacation choices in dozens of sought-after destinations, Inspirato is the luxury vacation solution for discerning travelers seeking a superior alternative to hotels, resorts and online villa rentals. In March 2013, Inspirato announced a partnership with American Express and the destination club’s new name, “Inspirato with American Express.” Inspirato with American Express is a private club that provides its members exclusive access to the Inspirato Signature Collection of luxury vacation homes, experiences and VIP offerings. At the heart of the Signature Collection are Inspirato Signature Residences, multimillion-dollar vacation homes fully managed and controlled by Inspirato for the exclusive use of its members. Inspirato members also enjoy Inspirato’s Signature Service every time they travel to one of the club’s Signature Residences, including the attention of a dedicated Personal Vacation Advisor to help them plan their trip, an onsite Destination Concierge to assist them during their stay, and daily housekeeping and pre-arrival grocery shopping. Learn more by visiting inspirato.com, calling 888-827-9561 and following Inspirato on Facebook and Twitter.

BOSTON, – Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, today released its first independent study examining the attitudes and lifestyle of “Urban Boomers,” a demographic cohort of adults who live in urban areas and who are ages 50 to 69, part of the “baby boomer” generation. The study, conducted by KRC Research, revealed that Urban Boomers in the U.S. are tech-savvy, highly active, and while many still own a car, they are driving less after moving to the city. These characteristics are similar to what millennials have self-reported in previous Zipcar research, making Urban Boomers a prime demographic for adopting new mobility solutions, such as car sharing.

“Today nearly 15 percent of our members are over 50, and that number is growing,” said Zipcar President Kaye Ceille. “While we already have a strong number of boomers using Zipcar, this study further solidifies that boomers living in cities are — and will continue to be – adopters of our service. Zipcar is more than just a brand popular with millennials; we’re a brand for all urbanites looking for convenient and affordable access to wheels.”

In addition to identifying Urban Boomers’ attitudes toward transportation, the study revealed insights regarding the demographic group’s household size, key lifestyle attributes and affinity towards technology:

Urban Boomers often have small households due to a variety of reasons, including divorce or separation, never marrying or becoming an empty-nester. Only 43 percent of Urban Boomers are married.

Urban Boomers move to the city for more choice in amenities. A greater choice in amenities such as restaurants, shopping and the arts is the number-one factor for moving to a city, over a shorter commute, being close to family and friends, and for a new job.

Once living in the city, Urban Boomers take advantage of all a city has to offer, including being more active, taking part in community events and enjoying cultural activities. 84 percent agree that having an active lifestyle is an important part of city living.

Baby boomer in need of relationship rehab? Move to the city. Sixty-one percent of Urban Boomers who are in relationships actually feel closer to their significant other after moving into the city.

Don’t take away their tech. Urban Boomers would have a harder time giving up their laptop than their car, and 81 percent are using the social media site, Facebook.

For more information on Zipcar’s Urban Boomer Study please visit http://www.slideshare.net/Zipcar_PR/zipcar-urban-boomersstudyfinal.
Zipcar gives its members on-demand access to a wide variety of cars in hundreds of cities and college campuses worldwide, as well as airports when they travel. With Zipcars available 24/7 for reservation via Zipcar’s mobile app, through www.zipcar.com, or over the phone, Zipcar is a smart transportation option for those who only need a car by the hour or by the day. Each reservation includes gas, insurance and 180 miles per day.

The findings of Zipcar’s Urban Boomer Study were released at AARP’s Life@50+ National Event in Miami by Zipcar President Kaye Ceille.

About Zipcar’s AARP Member Benefit
In May of 2014, Zipcar began offering AARP members savings on annual Zipcar memberships. The success of the program further reinforced Zipcar’s commitment to engaging the 50-plus demographic – particularly those who live in cities.
“When we evaluate benefits for our members, we seek products and services that complement their lifestyles,” said Angela Jones, senior vice president, business development & lifestyle, at AARP Services, Inc. “Our provider relationship with Zipcar gives our members, especially urban boomers, a smarter way to get around town without owning a car full-time.”

About Zipcar:
Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, has operations in urban areas and college campuses throughout Austria, Canada, France, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Zipcar offers more than 50 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to residents and businesses looking for smart, simple and convenient solutions to their urban and campus transportation needs. Zipcar is a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:CAR), a leading global provider of vehicle rental services. More information is available at www.zipcar.com.

Mountain View, CA, … BMW i Ventures announced today an investment in Zūm, the leading provider of safe and reliable student transportation for school districts and working families. The company, which celebrates its fourth birthday this month, aims to become the world’s safest and largest child transportation provider.

“Zūm has proven itself as a force to be reckoned with in a market that has a lot of untapped opportunity,” said Ulrich Quay, managing partner, BMW i Ventures. “Its leadership is strong not only because of their drive to help working families, but because they themselves have families and understand the need for better child transportation, today. We’re proud to be supporting Zūm and look forward to seeing its momentum as it continues driving funds back into schools.”

The new funding will be used to expand Zūm’s business model and increase school partnerships throughout the country as the company works to double its footprint by the 2019-2020 school year. Funding will also support the advancement of Zūm’s proprietary technology, such as its state-of-the-art GPS vehicle tracking and real-time system dashboards for school districts to have full visibility into a child’s commute for enhanced safety and efficiency.

Zūm added more than 100 new school districts in 2018, and now operates in 400 cities, transporting children to more than 2,000 public, private and charter schools, with a collective 750,000 students in attendance.

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About BMW i Ventures
BMW i Ventures, BMW’s EUR 500 Mio million venture capital fund, invests money and resources in startups in the fields of autonomous driving, digital car and automotive cloud, e-mobility, artificial Intelligence and data, industry 4.0, shared and on-demand mobility, customer digital life, and energy services. The firm has already partnered with innovative companies such as Carbon3D, Chargepoint, Claroty, DesktopMetal, Graphcore, JustPark, Life360, Moovit, Nauto, Scoop, Stratim, Tekion, Turo, Xometry and Zendrive. BMW i Ventures invests in all stages from seed and incubation to growth companies.

About Zūm
Zūm is the leading provider of safe, efficient and reliable child transportation for school districts and working families. Zūm is committed to saving schools money and parents time by providing flexible ride options, through highly vetted drivers. Since its inception at Stanford University, Zūm has provided over 3.5 million miles of safe and reliable rides and helped parents save over 200,000 hours – and counting. Founded by siblings Ritu Narayan, Vivek Garg, and Abhishek Garg, Zūm is backed by leading venture capital firms including Sequoia Capital and Spark Capital. The company is headquartered in Redwood City, Calif. For more information or to book a ride, visit www.ridezum.com. To apply to be a driver, visit www.ridezum.com/drive.

MANASSAS, Va., Boeing [NYSE: BA] yesterday successfully completed the first test flight of its autonomous passenger air vehicle (PAV) prototype in Manassas, Virginia. Boeing NeXt, which leads the company’s urban air mobility efforts, utilized Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences to design and develop the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and will continue testing to advance the safety and reliability of on-demand autonomous air transportation.

The PAV prototype completed a controlled takeoff, hover and landing during the flight, which tested the vehicle’s autonomous functions and ground control systems. Future flights will test forward, wing-borne flight, as well as the transition phase between vertical and forward-flight modes. This transition phase is typically the most significant engineering challenge for any high-speed VTOL aircraft.

“In one year, we have progressed from a conceptual design to a flying prototype,” said Boeing Chief Technology Officer Greg Hyslop. “Boeing’s expertise and innovation have been critical in developing aviation as the world’s safest and most efficient form of transportation, and we will continue to lead with a safe, innovative and responsible approach to new mobility solutions.”

Powered by an electric propulsion system, the PAV prototype is designed for fully autonomous flight from takeoff to landing, with a range of up to 50 miles (80.47 kilometers). Measuring 30 feet (9.14 meters) long and 28 feet (8.53 meters) wide, its advanced airframe integrates the propulsion and wing systems to achieve efficient hover and forward flight.

“This is what revolution looks like, and it’s because of autonomy,” said John Langford, president and chief executive officer of Aurora Flight Sciences. “Certifiable autonomy is going to make quiet, clean and safe urban air mobility possible.”

The test flight represents the latest milestone for Boeing NeXt. The division works with regulatory agencies and industry partners to lead the responsible introduction of a new mobility ecosystem and ensure a future where autonomous and piloted air vehicles safely coexist. In addition to the PAV, the Boeing NeXt portfolio includes an unmanned fully electric cargo air vehicle (CAV) designed to transport up to 500 pounds (226.80 kilograms) and other urban, regional and global mobility platforms. The CAV completed its first indoor flight last year and will transition to outdoor flight testing in 2019.

“Boeing was there when the aviation industry was born and in our second century, we will unlock the potential of the urban air mobility market,” said Steve Nordlund, vice president and general manager of Boeing NeXt. “From building air vehicles to airspace integration, we will usher in a future of safe, low-stress mobility in cities and regions around the world.”

To learn more and watch the flight, please visit boeing.com.

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. A top U.S. exporter, the company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in more than 150 countries. Boeing products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training.

Royal Mail’s Home Movers Study has revealed that spending on a new home doesn’t stop when contracts have been exchanged on the new property
The study found that nearly seven in ten recently moved home owners (69 per cent) have either already carried out building work on their new home, or plan to do so within the next six months

Across the UK, 22 per cent of home owners who have budgeted to extend their new home have spent or expect to spend between £25,001 and £50,000. Two in ten (19 per cent) have budgeted over £50,000

Meanwhile, 81 per cent of recently moved home owners have already carried out cosmetic work or will do in the next six months, the study found
The study revealed that in the Midlands, more owners surveyed than anywhere else in the UK are planning to spruce up their new homes following their move: 86 per cent have carried out or are planning cosmetic work in the next six months and 75 per cent say the same for building work
When it comes to buying furniture, the North West comes top with 61 per cent of home owners having bought or planning to buy furniture in the next six months

Home owners in London ranked the highest when it came to installing double glazing or new windows (22 per cent) and putting in a loft conversion (8 per cent). They were also ranked joint highest with the North East, the North West and Thames Valley (12 per cent each) when it came to extending a property

Royal Mail’s Home Movers Study has revealed that spending on a new home doesn’t stop when contracts have been exchanged on the new property.
The study found that nearly seven in ten recently moved home owners (69 per cent) have either carried out building work or plan to do so within the next six months. Meanwhile, 81 per cent say the same of cosmetic work.

Move and improve
The study revealed that in the Midlands, more home owners surveyed are planning to spruce up their homes following their move: 86 per cent have carried out or are planning cosmetic work in the next six months, and 75 per cent say the same of building work.

This compares to London where only 79 per cent of recently moved home owners have completed or are planning cosmetic work and 64 per cent have completed or are planning building work.

When it comes to buying furniture, the North West came top with 61 per cent of recently moved home owners having bought or planning to buy furniture in the next six months, followed by Thames Valley and London at 60 per cent. The study found that only 49 per cent of recently moved home owners in Wales have bought or plan to buy new furniture within the next six months.

However, when asked about other structural work such as insulation, damp proofing and installing a new roof, recently moved home owners in Wales ranked highest, with 22 per cent having completed or planning such improvements in the next six months. This compares with 14 per cent of Scottish home owners.

Anglia (74 per cent) ranked highest for the number of recently moved home owners who have already smartened up their new homes by painting and decorating or plan to do so in the next six months. Meanwhile, the North East (40 per cent) took the top spot for the number of people saying the same of a new kitchen or bathroom.

Recently moved home owners in London ranked highest when it came to installing double glazing or new windows (22 per cent), putting in a loft conversion (8 per cent). They were also ranked joint highest with the North East, the North West and Thames Valley (12 per cent each) when asked if they have already or if they plan to extend their new property in the next six months.

Budgeting beyond the purchase
When it comes to budgeting, 42 per cent of recently moved home owners with a budget in mind for new furniture have spent or are planning to spend between £2,001 and £5,000, while only one in ten (13 per cent) will push the boat out and have spent/will spend over £5,000 on new furniture within the next six months, the study found.

However, across the UK, 22 per cent of home owners who have budgeted to extend their new home have spent or expect to spend between £25,001 and £50,000, while 19 per cent say an extension has cost, or will cost, over £50,000.

The study comes as Royal Mail encourages people across the UK to redirect their mail when moving home in order to protect themselves against identity fraud. If people don’t take out a Redirection when changing address, their mail is likely to land on their old doorstep, with no control over who opens it or uses the information it contains.

Andrea Martin, Royal Mail’s Managing Director of Data Services, said: “Royal Mail’s unique insight into the priorities of home owners shows that a significant number of recently moved home owners are improving their homes after purchase with nearly 70 per cent having already carried out or planning to carry out building work in the next six months.”
– See more at: http://www.royalmailgroup.com/britain-move-making-house-home#sthash.OlosBj9Z.dpuf

The obstacles of your past can become the gateways to new beginnings.” – Unknown

We have acquired Uber Eats India and with this development, we are the undisputed market leaders in the food delivery category in India.

This is a key moment in our journey as it validates our collective achievement – we have worked very hard to get to this point. With our expansion to 550+ cities over the last year, our continued focus on user experience and our commitment to operating excellence, we have demonstrated our ability to execute on a variety of parameters.

The competition in this space is going to continue to be intense, and the food delivery category is still very small compared to the overall food service market in India. This category will continue to grow and get built over the next couple of decades, as we work hand-in-hand with restaurants and food service providers to provide better food for more people.

Our strength in the food delivery category brings with it its added responsibilities and we are keen on continuing to do what we have done this past year, as well as pay even closer attention to our brand, all our stakeholders and most importantly, our users. We must also not forget that with more orders comes greater environmental impact – you will be reading more on this from us in the near future.

Through this deal, Uber Eats India users now become Zomato users. I want to assure Uber Eats India users that their user experience won’t be compromised in any way – if at all, the scale gives us higher density to make our deliveries faster. With Zomato, you’ll realise that we share a common love for great food.

Our restaurant partners have innovated and delighted us in meeting the dizzying pace of consumer demand. And we will continue to work with them with utmost diligence and sincerity.

Similarly, the delivery partners who were earlier associated with Uber Eats India will be on-boarded on our fleet. We welcome them and want to assure them we have their best interest in mind.

Zomato’s mission is better food for more people. We started in 2010 and democratised restaurant discovery to help users find high quality food at restaurants, faster and cheaper. To say the least, this acquisition is a start of a new cycle in our ongoing journey and we could not have been any more excited about the future.

In addition to food delivery, we continue to focus on building our dining out business – and Zomato Gold is now stronger than ever. Hyperpure, our fresh and clean ingredient supply business for restaurants is growing by leaps and bounds and we couldn’t be prouder of the impact that we are making on our users, delivery partners, restaurants, farmers, and our employees.

To better food for more people, and new beginnings.

Zomato Acquires Uber’s Food Delivery Business in India

21 January 2020 , Gurgaon, India: Zomato, one of the largest food apps in India, announced today that it has acquired Uber’s food delivery business in India in an all-stock transaction, which gives Uber 9.99% ownership in Zomato.

Deepinder Goyal, Founder and CEO, Zomato, commented: “We are proud to have pioneered restaurant discovery and to have created a leading food delivery business across more than 500 cities in India. This acquisition significantly strengthens our position in the category. ”

Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, said: “Our Uber Eats team in India has achieved an incredible amount over the last two years, and I couldn’t be prouder of their ingenuity and dedication. India remains an exceptionally important market to Uber and we will continue to invest in growing our local Rides business, which is already the clear category leader. We have been very impressed by Zomato’s ability to grow rapidly in a capital-efficient manner and we wish them continued success. ”

Uber Eats in India will discontinue operations and direct restaurants, delivery partners, and users of the Uber Eats apps to the Zomato platform, effective today.

About Zomato: Zomato is a restaurant review, restaurant discovery, food delivery and dining out transactions platform providing in-depth information for over 1.5 million restaurants across 24 countries and serves more than 70 million users every month.

About Uber: Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 15 billion trips later, we’re building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.

ARLINGTON, Va. — CSX and The Conservation Fund today announced a program of grants aimed at improving the transportation and distribution of fresh, healthy food to communities in need. More than 23 million Americans across the country have limited or no access to fresh produce, dairy, meats and seafood. One of the contributors to these so-called “food deserts” is the lack of infrastructure to distribute fresh food to markets.

As a leading supplier of efficient rail-based freight transportation in North America, CSX recognized the integral role that local distribution plays in bringing fresh food to the people who need it. Many producers and organizations are challenged to retain food quality and safety as they sell, store, package, and distribute produce and other goods to the communities they serve.

To support local distribution and help address this need, CSX and The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit dedicated to finding conservation solutions that balance environmental and economic needs, teamed up to create a program that will help farmers and distributors enhance their delivery capabilities.

Grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 will be made available to entities that distribute fresh produce/perishable food in the 23 states where CSX operates. The grants can support a range of activities related to transportation such as:
acquiring refrigerated vehicles for direct delivery to markets;
financing “veggie vans” to bring fresh food to isolated communities;
providing better access to food hubs or other sites where produce, dairy, seafood and meats can be stored safely for distribution; or
purchasing produce boxes and cold storage bins to keep unsold food fresh for the next day’s farmers market or wholesale purchase.

“This program provides a lifeline to Americans who struggle to make fresh food a part of their daily meals,” said Kris Hoellen, Vice President of Sustainable Programs for The Conservation Fund. “With CSX’s help, we’re connecting our most vulnerable populations to healthy, fresh food by addressing local gaps in food distribution systems. Efficient distribution of healthy food also means more effective use of natural resources required for sustainable agricultural practices.”

“This program truly demonstrates the power of partnerships, drawing on the strengths of both CSX and The Conservation Fund to identify solutions that serve the communities in which we live and work every day,” said Tori Kaplan, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, CSX. “Facilitating fresh and healthy food distribution to underserved communities is exemplary of CSX’s core value of right results, right way.”

Grant applications are due by October 1, 2014. To download a grant application and see more information about the program, please visit http://www.conservationfund.org/partner-with-us/corporate-partners/profiles/csx/ or contact Margarita Carey at mcarey@conservationfund.org.

CSX is also working with The Conservation Fund on a program that is improving access to healthy food in five underserved counties in West Virginia – Calhoun, McDowell, Mingo, Roane and Wirt.

CSX has long been a supporter of The Conservation Fund’s work. CSX has helped restore critical habitat at two national wildlife refuges through the donation of more than 13,000 trees and is helping reconnect children and nature with the creation of a school curriculum unit that teaches kids about the environment, math, science and economics through real-world freight transportation scenarios.
# # #
About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For more than 185 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and small farming towns alike.
CSX is committed to helping communities it serves live healthier, greener, safer lives. The company recognizes the importance for these communities to gain regular access to locally grown, nutrient-rich, fresh food. That’s why CSX is supporting these grants to enable farmers, churches, towns, cities, neighborhoods, and community groups to transport fresh food to people who need it, as part of a healthier lifestyle.

About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we combine a passion for conservation with an entrepreneurial spirit to protect America’s most important lands and waterways for future generations. A hallmark of our work is our deep, unwavering understanding that for conservation solutions to last, they need to make economic sense. We strive to implement strategies that support sustainable economic development, spark cutting-edge conservation and bridge connections between people and the land. Top-ranked, we’re advancing vibrant, healthy communities. www.conservationfund.org

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX (NYSE: CSX) Chief Financial Officer Fredrik Eliasson today discussed the drivers of a decade of strong financial performance for the company, updated its first-quarter market outlook and discussed earnings expectations for 2015 at the JP Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Industrials Conference in New York City.

At the conference, Eliasson highlighted the company’s sustained record of superior shareholder value creation over the past decade, which leveraged its network reach and balanced portfolio of business to overcome the global recession and transition in the energy markets. This performance provides a strong foundation for 2015 as CSX expects its merchandise and intermodal markets to continue to grow faster than the overall economy.

At the same time, Eliasson indicated that CSX’s domestic coal volume is now expected to decline at least 5 percent, reflecting the relatively mild winter weather and low natural gas prices. He also noted that as oil prices remain low, the company expects growth in crude oil shipments to be more moderate than originally expected.

“We continue to expect strong earnings growth in the first quarter as merchandise and intermodal customers see growth opportunities and recognize the value and efficiency of freight rail service,” Eliasson said. “By leveraging price and efficiency gains combined with expected volume increases, we continue to target double-digit earnings growth for the full-year 2015, though achieving that goal will be more challenging with the expected decline in coal movements.”

Eliasson also reinforced the foundation of the company’s strategy for creating superior shareholder value is delivering service excellence for its customers. That allows CSX to maximize its three key value levers: growing its merchandise and intermodal business faster than the economy, pricing above inflation and driving efficiency in operations.

About CSX Disclosures and the Company
This announcement, as well as additional financial information, is available on the company’s website at http://investors.csx.com. CSX also uses social media channels to communicate information about the company. Although social media channels are not intended to be the primary method of disclosure for material information, it is possible that certain information CSX posts on social media could be deemed to be material.
Therefore, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in the company to review the information we post on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX) and on Slideshare (http://www.slideshare.net/HowTomorrowMoves). The social media channels used by CSX may be updated from time to time.

More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX).
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., – CSX (Nasdaq:CSX) Chief Financial Officer Frank Lonegro today highlighted the company’s track record of success during the energy market transition and updated expectations for company performance at the Barclays Industrial Select Conference in Miami, Florida.

Over the past five years, CSX has grown its merchandise and intermodal business faster than the economy and delivered strong pricing and efficiency gains in the face of a secular decline in coal and shifts in other energy markets. As a result, the company delivered compound annual growth in earnings per share of 4 percent during that period and an operating ratio below 70 percent for 2015.

However, the intensifying coal headwinds and the impact of the strong U.S. dollar and low global commodity prices that impacted CSX in 2015 are expected to further challenge results in 2016. CSX expects coal volume to decline more than 20 percent and most other markets to continue posting year-over-year declines this year.

“Based on the trends so far this year, we expect volume to decline in the mid-high single digits this quarter and to gradually moderate as we move through the year,” Lonegro said. “We expect first quarter earnings to decline significantly, reflecting both this volume environment and the fact that we are cycling more than $100 million in unique items from the first quarter of 2015.”

For 2016, the company continues to target $200 million in productivity savings. In addition, Lonegro reiterated that CSX continues working to further reduce structural resources and to match resources with volume declines near term while also remaining well-positioned to serve demand shifts once the economic challenges begin to subside.

“In this environment, we continue to focus on the things most in our control, including delivering safe, reliable service that increases operational efficiency and supports strong pricing for the value we provide to customers,” Lonegro said. “As we look toward a future with significantly less coal, our strategy includes rationalizing and realigning the network to match decreased demand in some markets and adjust to increases in others, investing in clearance and terminal projects to leverage intermodal growth, and optimizing technology to serve the CSX of tomorrow as we continue to target a mid-60s operating ratio longer term.”

About CSX and its Disclosures
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike.

Jacksonville, FL – As CSX continues its commitment to first responder preparation, the company today presented a $25,000 grant to the Hazardous Materials/CBRNE Training Facility in York County, Va., to enhance training for Virginia’s fire fighters and other responders.
Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment to expand and improve the existing training facility’s rail related hazardous materials capabilities including enhancing current and future railcar props; installing lighting and electrical connections to facilitate night training; expanding the classrooms to accommodate larger groups; and sustaining the facility with continued maintenance.

“An emergency response team’s ability is significantly strengthened when there is an opportunity to train in real life scenarios and work in situations relevant to today’s emergency response community,” said Chris Sadler, Assistant Chief, York County Department of Fire and Life Safety. “With this grant, the training facility can continue to provide state-of-the-art emergency response training for the Commonwealth’s emergency responders.”

The Hazardous Materials/CBRNE Training Facility provides hands-on training opportunities for first responders on how to handle hazardous materials, particularly in the area of rail hazardous materials incident response. Its operations are supported by a partnership between the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Virginia Association of Hazardous Materials Response Specialists, and York County Department of Fire and Life Safety. CSX previously donated to the facility in 2011.

“CSX and first responders share a critical responsibility to protect Virginia’s communities,” said Romano De Simone, Director Hazardous Materials. “Safety is our first priority, and we work to create educational, hands-on opportunities that help our responding partners be well prepared to make the best, fact-based decisions in the event of a railroad incident.”

The grant is part of CSX’s expanded safety training outreach to first responders and emergency personnel, which also includes the CSX Safety Train: Energy Preparedness Program that has trained more than 2,000 first responders from more than 350 organizations in 18 cities to date. CSX also launched the industry’s first mobile application to share information about train and cargo information with first responders in the event of an incident. First responders interested in accessing the mobile application should contact 1-877-TELL-CSX FREE.

About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) today unveiled its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, showing continued progress in 2013 on the company’s safety, environmental and community engagement initiatives. The full report – accessible on www.CSXCSR.com – details the company’s financial performance and offers a comprehensive look at the markets CSX serves as well as progress related to sustainability, governance, corporate citizenship, and other initiatives.

“Corporate Social Responsibility is at the core of CSX’s identity and helps drive our business success,” said Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Our CSR performance is fundamental to our vision to be the safest, most progressive North American railroad, relentless in the pursuit of customer and employee excellence. This report reflects our commitment to maintain transparency and accountability to our customers, employees, shareholders and the communities we serve.”

The fourth edition of the company’s CSR report highlights key accomplishments in 2013, including:
Remained the nation’s safest railroad, with the lowest rates of employee injuries;
Achieved the company’s most fuel efficient year ever – CSX can move a ton of freight 470 miles on a single gallon of fuel;
Progressed toward our goal to reduce the company’s greenhouse gas emissions intensity between 6 and 8 percent from 2011 levels by 2020;
Hired more than 2,300 employees, about 30 percent of whom are military veterans;
Collaborated with customers to develop 121 new or expanded facilities on the network, representing $3 billion in customer investments and more than 1,600 new job opportunities;
Provided more than $16 million in corporate giving to communities;
Logged more than 25,000 hours of employee volunteer time;
Partnered with national and local organizations, including City Year, Future Farmers of America, American Red Cross, Alliance for Community Trees, Action For Healthy Kids, The Nature Conservancy, National Safe Place and Dignity U Wear.

Invested $2.3 billion back into its 21,000 mile network toward maintaining and improving its existing infrastructure and to position itself for long-term growth through expanding network and terminal capacity.
CSX’s 2013 CSR report was prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. GRI is a globally recognized reporting framework for environmental, social and governance performance. The content and direction of the report was informed, in part, by the issues considered most material to the company’s stakeholders including employees, customers, investors, community and NGO partners, regulators and suppliers.

About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For more than 185 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and small farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Applications are now being accepted for the 2015 Grant Program for Transporting Healthy Food, presented in partnership by CSX and The Conservation Fund.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture more than 23 million Americans have limited or no access to fresh and healthy food. Many producers and retailers lack the resources and equipment needed to sustain food quality and safety as they sell, store, package and distribute fresh produce and others food to the surrounding communities they serve.

Now in its second year, the Grant Program for Transporting Healthy Food is designed to support and strengthen local transportation and distribution infrastructure for healthy food to communities in need. The program enhances delivery capabilities of producers and distributors and improves the availability of healthy food for nearby consumers. In 2014, the recipient organizations used the grants to purchase refrigeration and delivery trucks, acquire portable food chests and expand local food supply and capacity to provide nearly 118 million pounds of nutritious food to approximately six million people annually.

In 2015, grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 will be made available to charitable entities that distribute fresh produce and perishable food in 22 states where CSX operates—Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

The grants can support a range of activities related to transportation, including:
•acquiring refrigerated vehicles for direct delivery to markets, food hubs or distribution center;
•financing mobile market trucks and food stands to bring fresh food to isolated communities;
•improving on-site and mobile processing and storage—flash, freezing, drying or refrigeration—of meats and seafood needed for distribution; and
•purchasing produce boxes and cold storage bins to keep unsold food fresh for the next day’s farmers market or wholesale purchase.

As one of the nation’s premier transportation companies, with an important role in transporting agricultural, food and food-service products, CSX recognized the integral role that distribution plays in supporting access to fresh food.

“CSX aims to make an impact Beyond Our Rails—and one of our largest focus areas is creating access to healthy lifestyles, including food, in the communities where we operate and live,” said Tori Kaplan, assistant vice president, corporate social responsibility. “It’s our job to make connections across our 21,000 mile rail network every day, and we’re proud to continue working with The Conservation Fund to support local connections between communities and healthy, fresh food.”

“Local and regional food organizations are unsung heroes working tirelessly to make healthy, fresh food a convenient, practical and affordable option for everyone, particularly children and other vulnerable populations, and they deserve recognition and support for the important role they play in their communities,” said Kris Hoellen, Vice President of Sustainable Programs at the Conservation Fund. “With CSX’s partnership, we’re not only helping these groups expand their food network, but we’re also supporting our local farmers and working farms—improving the entire food chain from the field to the fork.”

Grant applications are due by September 18, 2015. To download a grant application and see more information about the program, please visit http://www.conservationfund.org/partner-with-us/business/csx or contact Margarita Carey at mcarey@conservationfund.org.

CSX has long been a supporter of The Conservation Fund’s work. CSX has helped restore critical habitats at two national wildlife refuges through the donation of more than 13,000 trees and is helping reconnect children and nature with the creation of a school curriculum unit. CSX is also entering into its second year of working with The Conservation Fund on an ongoing program that is improving access to and the supply of healthy food at local farmers markets in underserved counties in West Virginia.

About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we believe that conservation should work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are re-defining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states since 1985 to protect more than 7.5 million acres of land. www.conservationfund.org

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX Transportation opposes a proposal before the Surface Transportation Board (STB) that would create unpredictable traffic flows, reduce high levels of customer service achieved over the past few years, and diminish the company’s incentive to keep investing at record levels in critically needed transportation infrastructure.

“Our work is focused on achieving high levels of service reliability and predictability, which are critical elements in meeting our customers’ needs,” said Cressie Brown, CSX’s vice president-service design, in prepared testimony before the STB. A proposal from the National Industrial Transportation League (NIT League) “would undermine much of what we have accomplished in the areas of reliability, efficiency and customer service.”
Brown pointed to information and data gleaned from CSX’s Customer Advisory Councils and periodic surveys in which customers acknowledged improvements, but said they needed even more reliability to grow their own businesses. New or expanded businesses create job growth and economic development, and rail transportation’s fuel efficiency offers significant environmental benefits.

“It is a virtuous cycle of pleasing customers, earning more business, and generating investments in additional resources and new infrastructure,” Brown said. “The NIT League proposal turns back the clock on these gains achieved over the past decade.”

The NIT League proposal would force railroads, in certain circumstances, to open up their privately built, owned and maintained networks to competitors, creating artificial competition and transferring revenues from the railroads to the handful of customers who recommended the proposal. Brown said the proposal would create uncertainty among railroads over where to deploy resources such as locomotives and train crews, congest interchanges between railroads, and force freight back to the already stressed highways.

“I am very concerned that the NIT League proposal will force cars to locations where we do not have the resources or infrastructure to handle them,” Brown said. “Predictable traffic flows and effective planning are essential to our ability to provide a reliable service product. And shipment visibility is critical to resource and capacity planning.”

Brown offered examples of how traffic flows could change under the NIT League proposal with one adding 300 miles and three days to an overall movement and another routing more freight trains through an already congested city and potentially affecting passenger and commuter train service.
“It is not in the broader public interest to experiment with a forced switching scheme, which would ultimately create less reliable and less cost effective service for our customers,” Brown concluded, noting that the U.S. freight railroad industry already provides the most cost-effective service in the world, giving U.S. companies a competitive advantage. “We urge the Board to reject this sweeping regulatory restructuring and to maintain the balanced environment that is a pillar of our world-class freight rail system.”

About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For more than 185 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and small farming towns alike.

This news is courtesy of www.csx.com

Bonn, 28 September 2016 Deutsche Post DHL Group, the world’s leading mail and logistics group, has reached an agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer to acquire the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of UK Mail Group plc (UK Mail), one of the largest integrated mail and parcel operators within the UK. The acquisition will allow Deutsche Post DHL Group to bring its expertise in e-commerce and parcel delivery together with UK Mail’s existing customer base and network, to drive substantial shareholder value. In particular, the acquisition of UK Mail:

Strengthens the European market position of DHL Parcel, adding a commercial and operational presence, including pick-up and delivery capabilities, in the UK, Europe’s largest e-commerce market
Enhances Deutsche Post DHL Group and UK Mail’s customer value propositions
Strengthens UK Mail’s UK market position
Delivers significant synergy benefits
Juergen Gerdes, Deutsche Post DHL Group Board Member, said: “The on-going expansion of our parcel network in Europe is driven by increasing demand within our e-commerce customer base for cross-border deliveries. Deutsche Post DHL Group, as the leader in the German parcel market, has already established a strong position in a number of European countries. UK Mail is a well-run business and an established provider of quality delivery services in the UK and offers a complementary fit with our integrated offering. With this acquisition, we will further extend our network and have a strong foothold in Europe’s three largest e-commerce markets, the UK, Germany and France, which account for over 60% of online retail in the continent.”

Deutsche Post DHL Group’s cash offer of GBP 4.40 per share values the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of UK Mail at GBP 242.7 million, which represents a premium of 43.1 per cent over the closing price per UK Mail share on 27 September, 2016. The Directors of UK Mail intend to make a unanimous recommendation that company shareholders accept the offer.

DHL Parcel is the leading parcel delivery company in Germany, Europe’s largest parcel market by volume, and has expanded its cross-border network since 2014 to cover 18 European countries. The company has pioneered a number of innovative solutions, from same-day and time-specific delivery to automated Packstations and parcel shops that maximize delivery convenience. UK Mail, founded in 1971 by the current Chairman Peter Kane, has a network of over 50 sites in the UK, including an automated national hub in Ryton which can process up to 20,000 parcels per hour. UK Mail offers business customers a unique integrated service with a full range of time-sensitive and secure delivery options for parcels and letters.

Deutsche Post DHL Group is the world’s leading logistics and mail communications company. The Group is focused on being the first choice for customers, employees and investors in its core business areas worldwide. It makes a positive contribution to the world by connecting people and enabling global trade while being committed to responsible business practices and corporate citizenship.

Deutsche Post DHL Group operates under two brands: Deutsche Post is Europe’s leading postal service provider. DHL is uniquely positioned in the world’s growth markets, with a comprehensive range of international express, freight transportation, eCommerce, and supply chain management services.

Deutsche Post DHL Group employs approximately 500,000 employees in over 220 countries and territories worldwide. The Group generated revenues of more than 59 billion Euros in 2015.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, – United Airlines (UAL) and DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist within Deutsche Post DHL Group, today announced several significant growth and expansion initiatives in Puerto Rico. The two companies are working together to continue developing Puerto Rico’s life sciences and pharmaceutical industries by increasing widebody flights, and offering customers expanded cold chain storage solutions with three new temperature-controlled chambers operating at 15 to 25° C (59 to 77° F) in San Juan. The additional United flights will also offer additional opportunities for tourism to Puerto Rico, further boosting the local economy.

DHL will expand its San Juan warehouse to offer increased capacity for handling shipments that require strict temperature controls.
United Airlines, in part to serve the increased demand for moving temperature-controlled shipments by air, will add widebody aircraft flights between San Juan and the airline’s New York/Newark hub.

DHL Expansion
The DHL facility expansion will take place by dividing DHL’s current 5,616 square foot warehouse in San Juan into three independently operated cold chambers with a combined capacity of 324 pallets using single pallet racks or 486 pallets on double deep racks. Each of the three chambers will operate at 15 to 25° C (59 to 77° F) and have 100 percent redundant refrigeration systems. The chambers will also have a hot gas injection system to maintain required relative humidity levels during operation.

“Pharmaceutical companies have increasingly invested in Puerto Rico over the years, and they need a strong global network and cold chain infrastructure to handle their delicate medicines and pharmaceutical products,” said Frank Cascante, head of sales & marketing for DHL Temperature Management Solutions, DHL Global Forwarding. “DHL Global Forwarding is investing in Puerto Rico by expanding to meet the growing needs of this important market by offering it our cutting-edge temperature-controlled services.”

DHL has been present in Puerto Rico since 1958 and has operations in San Juan with 35 professionals dedicated to servicing the island’s life sciences and health care industry.

According to the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO), the island has 49 FDA-approved pharmaceutical plants and 12 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies have a presence there. It also is the fifth largest pharmaceutical manufacturing territory in the world. DHL Global Forwarding offers life sciences and health care customers a portfolio of services that includes transportation sourcing and management, shipment tracking, specialty cold chain packaging, RFID label application and temperature-controlled storage and fulfillment, among other services. The company also adheres to strict processes, quality standards and services that comply with government agencies’ requirements.

United Airlines Expansion
Beginning December 18, 2016, United will increase widebody service between San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport from one to six flights weekly. The route will operate with Boeing 777 aircraft offering customers 344 seats.  
“Building strong, collaborative relationships with United Cargo customers allows us to share innovative ideas and opportunities to ensure we meet the needs of the global health care community,” said Jim Bellinder, United Cargo’s vice president of Sales Americas. “By expanding our TempControl service for temperature-sensitive patient care products into San Juan, United is improving the lives and health of people in Puerto Rico and around the world.”
“For the last 25 years, United Airlines has been a proud member of the San Juan business community and has played a vital role in connecting Puerto Rico to the world,” said Millie Uriarte, United’s regional director of Sales for Puerto Rico. “Today’s announcement is just the beginning and we look forward to continuing to do business with customers throughout the island.”

About United
United Airlines and United Express operate more than 4,500 flights a day to 339 airports across five continents. In 2015, United and United Express operated more than 1.5 million flights carrying more than 140 million customers. United is proud to have the world’s most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates more than 720 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 21 new Boeing aircraft, including 737 NGs, 787s and 777s. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United’s parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

About DHL
DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 340,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and health care, energy, automotive and retail, a proven commitment to corporate responsibility and an unrivalled presence in developing markets, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world.” DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 59 billion euros in 2015.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced today that its waiver program that helps experienced veterans and active duty personnel transition into civilian jobs as commercial truck and bus drivers has been expanded to all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“Our nation’s veterans deserve good-paying jobs when they return home from serving overseas and we are proud to help,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Thousands of active duty service members and veterans have already transferred their skills to jobs driving trucks and buses through the Military Skills Test Waiver Program and we look forward to helping even more now that we’ve expanded to all 50 states.”

On June 27, 2014, Alaska became the 50th state to participate in the FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver Program. Begun in 2011, the Program grants state licensing agencies, including the District of Columbia, the authority to waive the skills test portion of the commercial driver’s license application for active duty or recently separated veterans who possess at least two years of safe driving experience operating a military truck or bus. Waiving the skills test expedites the civilian commercial drivers licensing application process and reduces expenses for qualified individuals and operating costs to state licensing agencies.

The effort is part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s and Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces initiative http://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces to promote expanded employment and career development opportunities for veterans and military spouses.

Today’s announcement also includes two additional expansions of the program.

First, the eligibility period for qualified individuals to obtain an FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver has been extended from 90 days to one year, nationwide.

Second, commencing with Virginia residents, returning military service personnel who possess a state-issued Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificate http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/medical/skill-performance-evaluation-certificate-application-new-driver-application due to a limb impairment will automatically be recognized as equivalent to an FMCSA-issued SPE certificate and allowed to obtain an interstate commercial driver’s license (CDL). FMCSA encourages other state licensing agencies to establish comparable equivalency SPE programs.

“Commercial drivers fulfill a vital role ensuring that America’s economy continually moves forward,” said Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “Service members who have clocked countless miles safely working behind the wheel of a military vehicle will now have more time and opportunity to find long-term employment in the commercial driving industry. Reducing the burden of finding civilian jobs is one of the best ways we can thank members of our military and their families for their service to our nation.”

From 2010 to 2020, the need for heavy-vehicle drivers is expected to grow by more than 17 percent – faster than the national average for other occupations.

To date, more than 6,000 current and former military personnel – including Reserves, National Guard, and U.S. Coast Guard service members – have taken advantage of FMCSA’s Military Skills Test Waiver Program, which has been conducted in close cooperation with the Department of Transportation, Department of Defense and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA).

Additional information, including a standardized application form accepted in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, is available at: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/military.

London/ Munich. DriveNow, the carsharing joint venture between the BMW Group and Sixt SE, is launching its flexible carsharing service in London today. Initially, 210 BMW 1 Series and MINI Countryman models will be available for spontaneous hire. DriveNow furthermore intends to add 30 all-electric BMW i3 cars to the London fleet in spring 2015, expanding it to a total of 300 vehicles during the course of next year. The scheme will start off by serving an area around 65 square kilometres (25 sq. miles) in size comprising the boroughs of Islington, Haringey and Hackney, though DriveNow is seeking to extend the area of coverage to neighbouring boroughs before long.

Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG and responsible for Mobility Services, comments: “DriveNow is already an international success, with more than 360,000 regular customers in Europe and America and we are delighted now to launch it in London, Europe’s largest city. DriveNow gives Londoners instant access to highly desirable cars, perfect for the city, in an innovative and entirely flexible way. This program is part of BMW Group’s strategic response to the growth in urban living and shared ownership. Our aim is to expand it into about 15 more cities in Europe and about 10 in North America in the future.”

Every journey is charged to the exact minute, with each minute of driving in London costing 39 pence. The hourly rate is capped at £20, so that customers save £3.40 per 60-minute hire. Each minute in the reserved park mode costs 19 pence. As in Germany, DriveNow additionally offers saver packages, which allow customers to buy blocks of minutes for as little as 32 pence per minute, as well as blocks of hours. Prices for the hourly packages vary from £35 for three hours, including 40 free miles, to £120 for 24 hours, including 125 free miles. All costs such as fuel, taxes, insurance and parking charges are already included in London as well. The standard one-off registration fee for London will be £29.

DriveNow is currently available in five cities in Germany – Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Cologne and Hamburg – as well as in the Austrian capital Vienna and in San Francisco, USA. It gives over 360,000 customers access to a fleet of some 3,000 premium BMW and MINI cars in any of these cities.
Further information can be found at https://uk.drive-now.com.

About DriveNow
DriveNow is a carsharing joint venture by BMW Group and Sixt SE. Each company holds a 50 percent share of the joint venture. BMW Group contributes the vehicles and the automotive technology to the joint company. Sixt SE, in turn, provides the services, the car rental know-how, the IT systems, and an extensive network of stations for customer registration. The modern mobility concept of DriveNow is currently available in Munich, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg, Vienna, San Francisco and London. In London DriveNow is available across three London boroughs: Islington, Hackney & Haringey. The location-less, booking free service has a fleet of 210 cars in the UK and is enjoyed by more than 360,000 customers globally.
The main customer benefit of DriveNow is the flexible and spontaneous location-independent hiring and returning of vehicles as well as the premium fleet including a wide range of models. DriveNow exclusively uses high-quality premium vehicles of the brands MINI and BMW. Nearly all cars come with at least four seats, a full suite of extras (including parking assistance, automatic AC, heated seats, etc.) and highly efficient engines. With the BMW ActiveE, DriveNow additionally offers a purely electric, emission-free mobility solution in Berlin and Munich. The vehicles are marked with the DriveNow logo and are easily recognisable.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are jointly proposing standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles that would improve fuel efficiency and cut carbon pollution to reduce the impacts of climate change, while bolstering energy security and spurring manufacturing innovation.

The proposed standards are expected to lower CO2 emissions by approximately 1 billion metric tons, cut fuel costs by about $170 billion, and reduce oil consumption by up to 1.8 billion barrels over the lifetime of the vehicles sold under the program. These reductions are nearly equal to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with energy use by all U.S. residences in one year. The total oil savings under the program would be greater than a year’s worth of U.S. imports from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

“Once upon a time, to be pro-environment you had to be anti-big-vehicles. This rule will change that,” said U.S Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “In fact, these efficiency standards are good for the environment – and the economy. When trucks use less fuel, shipping costs go down. It’s good news all around, especially for anyone with an online shopping habit.”

The proposed standards are cost effective for consumers and businesses, delivering favorable payback periods for truck owners; the buyer of a new long-haul truck in 2027 would recoup the investment in fuel-efficient technology in less than two years through fuel savings.

“We’re delivering big time on President Obama’s call to cut carbon pollution,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “With emission reductions weighing in at 1 billion tons, this proposal will save consumers, businesses and truck owners money; and at the same time spur technology innovation and job-growth, while protecting Americans’ health and our environment over the long haul.”

Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles currently account for about 20 percent of GHG emissions and oil use in the U.S. transportation sector, but only comprise about five percent of vehicles on the road. Globally, oil consumption and GHG emissions from heavy-duty vehicles are expected to surpass that of passenger vehicles by 2030. Through the G-20 and discussions with other countries, the United States is working with other major economies to encourage progress on fuel economy standards in other countries, which will improve global energy and climate security by reducing reliance on oil.

The product of three years of extensive testing and research, the proposed vehicle and engine performance standards would cover model years 2021-2027, and apply to semi-trucks, large pickup trucks and vans, and all types and sizes of buses and work trucks. They would achieve up to 24 percent lower CO2 emissions and fuel consumption than an equivalent tractor in 2018, based on the fully phased-in standards for the tractor alone in a tractor-trailer vehicle. Additionally, the proposed standards are:

Grounded in rigorous technical data and analysis.
Reflect extensive outreach with industry and other stakeholders.
Rely on cost-effective technologies to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce GHG emissions that are currently available or in development.
They do not mandate the use of specific technologies. Rather they establish standards achievable through a range of technology options, and allow manufacturers to choose those technologies that work best for their products and for their customers. (These technologies include improved transmissions, engine combustion optimization, aerodynamic improvements and low rolling resistance tires).
Phased in over the long-term, beginning in model year 2021 and culminating in standards for model year 2027 – giving manufacturers the time and flexibility to plan.
Flexible, allowing banking and trading emissions credits for most manufacturers, and providing the opportunity for businesses to choose the most cost-effective path to meeting the standards.
Like the Administration’s successful 2014-2018 fuel efficiency and GHG standards for heavy duty trucks, the proposal includes separate engine standards that will promote continued progress on engine efficiency and allow for direct measurement of engine emissions.

The agencies are also proposing efficiency and GHG standards for trailers for the first time. The EPA trailer standards, which exclude certain categories such as mobile homes, would begin to take effect in model year 2018 for certain trailers, while NHTSA’s standards would be in effect as of 2021, with credits available for voluntary participation before then. Cost effective technologies for trailers – including aerodynamic devices, light weight construction and self-inflating tires – can significantly reduce total fuel consumption by tractor-trailers, while paying back the owners in less than two years due to the fuel saved.

Today’s proposal builds on the fuel efficiency and GHG emissions standards already in place for model years 2014-2018, which alone will result in emissions reductions of 270 million metric tons and save vehicle owners more than $50 billion in fuel costs. The current standards have been successful, with truck sales up in model years 2014 and 2015 due in part to improved fuel efficiency.

The proposal also builds on standards that the Administration has put in place for light-duty vehicles, which are projected to reduce carbon pollution by 6 billion tons over the lifetime of vehicles sold, double fuel economy by 2025, and save consumers $1.7 trillion at the pump. These standards are already delivering savings for American drivers; new vehicles in 2013 achieved their highest fuel economy of all time.

The proposed standards are fully harmonized between NHTSA and EPA. The agencies have worked closely with the State of California’s Air Resources Board in developing the proposed standards. All three agencies are committed to the goal of setting a single set of national standards. Throughout every stage of development, the Administration’s fuel efficiency program has benefited from close partnership with industry, labor and environmental leaders. With this proposal, a high level of engagement with stakeholders will continue to be critical, as feedback will be instrumental to the agencies’ work to finalize the standards by 2016.

A public comment period will be open for 60 days after the proposal is published in the Federal Register. In addition, NHTSA and EPA will host two public hearings and continue our open-door policy of meeting with stakeholders over the course of the comment period.

For more details on DOT’s and EPA’s notice of proposed rulemaking, visit http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regs-heavy-duty.htm and http://www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy.

– See more at: http://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/epa-dot-propose-greenhouse-gas-and-fuel-efficiency-standards-heavy-duty-trucks#sthash.C4t20agO.dpuf

Today the Commission is further delivering on its top priority of creating jobs and boosting growth in Europe, by unveiling a record €13.1 billion investment plan in 276 transport projects, selected under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). This investment will unlock additional public and private co-financing for a combined amount of €28.8 billion. Along with the future European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the CEF will play a major role in bridging the investment gap in Europe, which is one of the Commission’s top priorities. Beyond transport, it will benefit the European economy as a whole by creating more favourable conditions for growth and jobs.

EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said, “Today, I am very pleased to propose the largest investment plan ever made by the EU in the transport area. The projects we selected will serve citizens and businesses alike, by upgrading infrastructure and removing existing bottlenecks. They will also promote sustainable and innovative mobility solutions. This unprecedented investment represents a major contribution to the Commission’s agenda of growth and job creations. Implementing the trans-European transport network could create up to 10 million jobs and increase Europe’s GDP by 1.8% by 2030”.

Selected projects are primarily located in the core trans-European transport network. Among the beneficiaries are flagship initiatives such as Rail Baltica, the Brenner Base Tunnel, the Seine-Escaut waterway, the Caland Bridge and the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link. Smaller-scale initiatives include cross-border projects between Groningen and Bremen, the Iron Rhine rail line, LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) deployment plans or projects enhancing the navigability of the Danube River.

Launched in September 2014, the CEF calls for proposals generated an unprecedented interest. The Commission received 700 applications totalling €36 billion of requested funding, three times more than the available envelope. This allowed the Commission to select the projects with the highest European added value, while guaranteeing a balanced distribution geographically and between the transport modes. In particular, nearly €4.8 billion have been earmarked for Member States eligible for Cohesion Funds. Contribution to other Commission priority actions, such as the Energy Union or the Digital Single Market, was also evaluated during the selection process.
The EU’s financial contribution is made in the form of grants, the co-financing rate of which is between 20% and 85% of a given project, depending on its type.

Next steps
The proposed funding decision must now be formally adopted by the Connecting Europe Facility Committee, which will meet on 10 July 2015. The individual grant agreements will then be prepared by the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) and signed with the project beneficiaries in the second half of 2015.

Background
Under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), €24.05 billion will be made available from the EU’s 2014-2020 budget to co-fund TEN-T projects in the EU Member States. Of this amount, €11.305 billion will be available only for projects in Member States eligible for the Cohesion Fund. Annual and multi-annual work programmes specify the set of priorities and the total amount of financial support to be committed for each of these priorities in a given year. 2014 has been the first programming year under the CEF.

The Council agreed its position on the revision of safety rules for civil aviation. The draft regulation contains a new mandate for the European Aviation Safety Agency. It also includes the first EU-wide rules on civil drones, to enable drones to fly safely in European airspace and boost this rapidly expanding industry.

Aviation safety, EASA and drones rules: Council adopts its position
The Council also adopted its position on two proposals which are part of a review of passenger ship safety: a revised ‘general’ directive on safety rules for passenger ships and a simplified inspection regime for ro-ro ferries and high-speed passenger craft.

Passenger ship safety: Council stance on two sets of rules
In addition, ministers took stock of the progress made on revised rules on the registration of ship passengers, which is the third proposal under the review.

“Citizens want to move around in safety. Offering the highest safety standards across all modes of transport should be our top priority. This was the main theme running through all our discussions today, both in relation to aviation and shipping. I am pleased at the swift action of the Council on civil aviation safety rules and passenger ship safety rules. This is how the Council works for the benefit of citizens and delivers tangible results.”

Arpád Érsek, Slovak Minister for Transport, Construction and Regional Development and Chair of the Council
The Council also adopted, without discussion, a mandate that will enable the Commission to launch talks on a comprehensive air transport agreement with Armenia. The agreement will enhance connectivity based on common rules, ultimately aiming at full implementation of the EU aviation acquis in this neighbourhood country.

Air transport agreement with Armenia: Council adopts mandate

Highlights from the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (Telecom) Council on 2 December 2016 in Brussels.
Telecommunications – 2 December

The Council adopted a general approach on new rules for wholesale roaming markets in the EU. This is an important step in preparing the abolition of roaming fees for consumers on 15 June 2017 as agreed. The general approach is the starting point for negotiations with the European Parliament.

“Who does not wish to remain connected and to communicate when travelling or on holiday? Abolition of roaming charges is in the eyes of many the most concrete achievement of the Union. It is therefore of the utmost importance that we meet our citizens’ expectations. I welcome today´s swift decision by the Council to agree on wholesale roaming caps to enable negotiations with the European Parliament and make roam-like-at-home reality as of next year.”

Arpád Érsek, Slovak Minister for Transport, Construction and Regional Development
Wholesale roaming: Council ready for talks with EP
The Council adopted a partial general approach on a proposal under which the EU will fund the installation of free WiFi4EU internet connections in local communities.

Free WiFi4EU internet connection – Council agrees its position
Ministers held a policy debate on recent proposals on the reform of the EU telecoms rules. They expressed their support for the connectivity objectives in the proposals and agreed on the need to work together to achieve them, including on 5G. At the same time, they stressed the need to respect subsidiarity and regulate only where it is necessary. The messages from the debate will steer future work at technical level.

Ministers took note of the progress made on the proposal to increase regulatory oversight and price transparency for cross-border parcel delivery services.

Over lunch, ministers provided guidance to the Commission for future work on free flow of data. The discussion addressed issues such as data localisation and other barriers to the free flow of data, the main obstacles to future innovation and growth of the data economy, and user control of data.

“Our presidency has shown itself to be a determined advocate of a strong, fair and competitive digital single market. We have paid particular attention to eliminating barriers in e-commerce through geo-blocking, to facilitating the use of electronic services in public administration and the availability of digital content, as well as to the importance of consumer protection and cybersecurity. Today, I have reported to the Council on the significant progress that has been achieved.”

Peter Pellegrini, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister for Investments and the Information Society

Highlights from the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), on 5 December 2016 in Brussels.
Energy – 5 December

The Council held a policy debate on the proposal for a regulation concerning measures to safeguard the security of gas supply.

The aim of the regulation is to create a cost-effective EU regional framework that would minimize the impact of a potential gas disruption and therefore increase the security of supply across the EU. Enhanced regional cooperation and coordination are important tools for creating greater solidarity and trust between member states and for strengthening the internal energy market.

A compromise was found on the main issues: regional cooperation, exchange of information on commercial gas contracts, and solidarity

regional cooperation: based on groups of member states identified on the basis of the main risks for the EU’s gas supply
exchange of information: long-term contracts which provide 40% or more of annual gas consumption in the member state concerned would be notified to the competent authority. They would be assessed by the competent authority, with regard in particular to their impact on the security of gas supplies in the member state and the region
solidarity: solidarity, together with general principles on compensation, should be defined in the text of the regulation, whilst member states should be allowed to take into account their specific national situation and possible different approaches to calculating compensation
“Security of gas supply is a key issue where countries need to act on the basis of the recognition that we have a shared interest. Today’s debate was important in that it gave a very clear steer on the security of supply regulation in three main areas. I am pleased that a solution is emerging. We aim to transform this political guidance as soon as possible and receive a mandate which will then enable the Council to open negotiations with the Parliament.”

Peter Žiga, Minister for the Economy and Chair of the Council
The Council had a presentation by the Commission of its “Clean Energy Package”, in the framework of the implementation of the Energy Union Strategy. It includes legislation on energy efficiency, electricity market design, renewables and energy governance.

The Council also took note of information from the Presidency on the state of play of two important legislative files on which the Council has agreed on general approaches.

the decision on an information exchange mechanism with regard to intergovernmental agreements between member states and third countries: two trilogues have taken place: on 8 and 24 November. Significant progress has been achieved and provisional agreement was reached on a number of topics. A third trilogue is scheduled for 7 December.
the regulation on energy efficiency labelling: three trilogues took place under the Slovak Presidency in July, September and October 2016. Provisional agreement was reached on most non-core political issues. The Presidency also submitted compromise proposals on the core issues of rescaling and the database in view of a possible third trilogue.

The European Commission welcomes the agreement reached yesterday evening by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers of the EU on the Fourth Railway Package. This is a series of measures to make European railways more innovative and competitive. The agreement will in particular improve the performance of rail services in the EU to the benefit of passengers with a gradual opening of the domestic rail markets. The agreement now needs to be endorsed by the Member States and the European Parliament in the coming days. Once adopted, the package will complete the single European rail area and therefore deliver on this Commission’s agenda of a fairer and deeper internal market.

EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said “This agreement opens a new chapter for European railways. For too long, the rail sector had no incentives to adapt to consumer-demand and as a result the market share of rail steadily declined. Gradual market-opening will improve the performance of rail services. This agreement will also create new investment opportunities and foster job creation in the sector. Finally, it should encourage Europeans to make a greater use of rail, contributing to our decarbonisation objectives. When railways become more attractive, everybody wins.”

Following today’s agreement, the Fourth Railway package will gradually open domestic passenger rail markets to competition. Gradual market opening will bring a number of benefits to passengers, public authorities and to the European economy as a whole. It will in particular:

1. Revitalise domestic rail markets. Over the last decades, rail traffic has experienced a steady decline, with the persistence of domestic monopolies. With the fourth railway package, all EU railway undertakings will be able to offer rail services throughout the EU. For “commercial” services, new entrants will be able to operate as of 2020. As of 2023, competent authorities should award public service rail contracts through competitive tenders opened to all EU railway undertakings, except in specific cases.

2. Make railways more responsive to market and consumer demand. Market-opening will favour the emergence of new business models, and offer more choice to consumers. Competitive pressure from new entrants will also force incumbents to adapt and become more consumer-oriented. Competition is however not an end in itself and Member States will still be able to directly award public service rail contracts, provided that performance targets (quality, punctuality, etc.) are met. Passengers will reap the benefits of these developments. Experience from the Member States having already opened their domestic market suggests increased frequencies, better services and lower fares.

3. Deliver on President Juncker’s political priorities. In their letter of intent to the Presidents of the Parliament and the Council of the EU, Commission President Juncker and First Vice-President Timmermans stressed the importance of the Fourth Railway package to the realisation of the Commission’s priorities. By gradually opening domestic rail markets, the package will complete the internal market for rail services, and thereby directly deliver on the Commission’s priority of a fairer and deeper internal market. It will also foster investments in the rail sector and evidence from liberalised Member States suggests that market opening had a positive impact on job creations. Finally, rail is by far the most sustainable form of transport and by making it more attractive, the fourth railway package should enable a shift from other more polluting transport modes towards rail. This would contribute to the EU’s decarbonisation objectives.

The agreement must now be approved by the Member States and the European Parliament in the coming days. The package will then have to be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. This is expected to be done by autumn 2016.

Background
The Fourth Railway Package is a set of six legislative proposals put forward by the European Commission in January 2013. The European Parliament adopted its first reading position on the entire package in February 2014, while the Council agreed on positions (“general approach”) on the different proposals between June 2013 and October 2015. The inter-institutional agreement reached on 19 April 2016 now concludes the negotiations between the Parliament and the Council, and paves the way for a swift adoption of the package.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced the findings and recommendations from its focused safety assessment of Chicago’s Metra. The assessment finds Metra to be generally compliant with federal safety regulations, but also directs the commuter railroad to take immediate steps to enhance its safety culture, which is an area of concern, and to better utilize safety technology.

“Safety is our highest priority and after three serious safety incidents on Metra within a seven day period, we proactively intervened,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Our safety assessment identifies specific actions Metra should take to address risks to improve the safety of all passengers.”

FRA identified and prioritized specific safety concerns and actions Metra should take to mitigate them:

• Empower conductors to prioritize the safety of operations over collecting fares, on-time performance and customer service;

• Ensure heightened crew interactions during higher risk operations;

• Establish new procedures to strengthen the flow of information between operating lines and Metra headquarters;

• Add technical skills training for managers;

• Add safety measures and procedures that would provide a level of safety redundancy to protect crossover movements;

• Implement a Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS); and

• Immediately prioritize the acquisition, testing and installation of Positive Train Control

(PTC) systems that monitor and control train movements to provide increased safety.

“Continuous safety improvement must be the goal of every railroad,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “The roadmap we’ve laid out for Metra today is an opportunity for them to renew their commitment to safety and win back the faith of the traveling public.”

FRA announced the launch of the safety assessment on June 6, 2014 after three serious incidents occurred between May 27, 2014, and June 3, 2014, that resulted in the decertification of three Metra locomotive engineers. Review the entire report on Metra. Read our original announcement of the Metra Safety Assessment.

FRA’s strategy for continuous safety improvement is founded on three pillars: a rigorous oversight and inspection program based on strategic use of data; advancing proactive approaches for early identification and mitigation of risk; and capital investments and a robust research and development program.

WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration today funded two grants totaling $350,000 to support development of a Short Line Safety Institute. The Institute will help mitigate risk associated with shipping hazardous materials by rail by working to improve the culture of safety within the short line and regional rail industry while improving its overall safety record.

“Nearly half of all short line and regional railroads handle some type of hazardous materials, and today’s grants will play an important role in ensuring those materials and all shipments reach their destination safely,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “These grants are just the latest step in our comprehensive approach to improving the safe transport of crude oil and other hazmat by rail.”

The primary purpose of the Institute will be to conduct safety compliance assessments to measure compliance with federal safety standards and safety culture assessments to evaluate the steps each railroad is taking to promote safe practices internally. In addition, the Institute will provide safety education, training and development to managers and employees. Assessors from the Institute will visit member railroads, evaluate safety compliance and safety culture and document their findings in a written report. The Institute will also provide education, training and employee development following the assessments.

“Although the Short Line Industry has an excellent safety record overall, we owe it to the public and the industry to drive continuous safety improvement,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “These grants are a first step in assisting the industry to further identify and contain risks.”

Short line railroads serve as a feeder system for the larger Class I carriers, picking up or delivering one out of every four rail cars moving on the national rail network. More than 550 short line and regional railroads operate in 49 states and bring rail service to thousands of communities that would otherwise not be connected to the nation’s mainline railroad system. As short line railroads are much smaller than Class I Railroads, many of them lack the resources to carry out the same kind of robust safety training and enforcement on their own that Class I carriers perform.

Today’s announcement includes a $250,000 grant to the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) to begin the pilot phase of safety culture assessments. Pilot testing will begin in January 2015 and will initially focus on the safety of crude oil transportation by rail. With the grant money, ASLRRA will:

Conduct a comprehensive review of the existing safety programs on short line and regional railroads (e.g., compliance requirements of FRA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration);
Use tools developed by the University of Connecticut to identify areas of non-compliance and help railroads develop a culture of commitment to railroad safety; and
Provide access to effective safety training processes, programs and resources.
Develop large libraries of training tools, technical materials and other educational resources to assist small railroads in instilling a culture of safety.
The University of Connecticut also received a $100,000 grant to conduct initial work that will focus on the development, testing and validation of safety education, training and development for managers and employees.

Short lines and regional railroads account for 31 percent of U.S. freight rail mileage and 10 percent of industry employees. There are more than 550 short line and regional railroads operate in every U.S. state except Hawaii and often feed traffic to Class I railroads and receive traffic from Class I railroads for final delivery.

Rail – Moving America Forward

The mission of the Federal Railroad Administration is to enable the safe, reliable, and efficient movement of people and goods for a strong America, now and in the future.

This news is courtesy of www.dot.gov

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the 114-mile Fresno to Bakersfield Section of the California High-Speed Train System. The ROD is the last step in the National Environmental Policy Act process and clears the way to break ground on the project.

“This represents a major step forward, both for the State of California and for High Performance rail in the U.S.,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “It will create jobs, provide travelers with new options, and improve connectivity up and down the West Coast. This project is an important example of our commitment to investing in modernizing our rail infrastructure to meet growing market demand.”

The California High-Speed Train System will provide a reliable high-speed electric-powered train system that links the major metropolitan areas of California, delivering predictable and consistent travel times that are competitive with air and highway travel. It will also provide connectivity to commercial airports, mass transit systems, and the highway network; and help alleviate capacity constraints of the existing transportation system as increases in intercity travel demand in California occur, in a manner sensitive to and protective of California’s unique natural resources.

In its ROD, the FRA selects the preferred alternative outlined in its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), which was issued earlier this year. The preferred alternative is comprised of the alignment alternative adjacent to the BNSF Railway bypasses of Corcoran, the Allensworth area, and the Bakersfield Hybrid alternative. The preferred alternative includes a Downtown Fresno Station, a Kings/Tulare regional station, and a downtown Bakersfield station. FRA selected this combination of route alignments because they are more compatible with the long-range development planning goals of the region, and will result in fewer potential impacts on wetlands and special-status species habitat. The alignment will also reduce displacements and result in fewer impacts to religious facilities when compared to the other alignment alternatives.

FRA’s decision reflects the balancing of multiple considerations including environmental, technical, economic, operational, as well as community and stakeholder input. Between March 2007 and March 2014, more than 900 meetings in the Project area were held as part of the California High Speed Rail Authority (Authority) and FRA’s outreach efforts. The public summited more than 2200 written comment letters and verbal comments at public hearings in response to the 2011 Draft EIR/EIS and the 2012 Revised Draft EIR/Supplemental Draft EIS. The ROD also includes a Mitigation Monitoring and Enforcement Plan that describes measures the Authority must implement as part of the project to reduce, avoid, and minimize potential adverse environmental impacts.

“This ROD represents a major milestone in the planning process, which included a rigorous analysis that thoroughly incorporated public input to recommend these routes,” said FRA Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “Public feedback is an essential component of the environmental review process and we relied upon it heavily while conducting this review.”

DOT’s historic investment in the California High Speed Train System through funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) reflects the importance of investing in the modernization of our nation’s rail system.

The GROW AMERICA Act, or Generating Renewal, Opportunity, and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency, and Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America Act, will further advance this goal by providing for predictable, dedicated investments that enhance safety and modernize our rail infrastructure to meet growing market demand, while promoting innovation and ensuring transparency and accountability. The Act will invest $19 billion over four years to improve rail safety and invest in a National High-Performance Rail System, as states and local communities need the certainty of sustained funding to make the transportation investments necessary to improve our infrastructure and support our economic growth.

A copy of the ROD can be found here.

Rail – Moving America Forward

The mission of the Federal Railroad Administration is to enable the safe, reliable, and efficient movement of people and goods for a strong America, now and in the future.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced the launch of a 45-day focused deep dive safety assessment of Chicago’s Metra in response to three incidents that have taken place in the last two weeks. The assessment will focus on Metra’s program of operational tests and inspections for all its operating crews, with special emphasis on training, qualification and testing of locomotive engineers. This assessment is similar to Operation Deep Dive, the recent safety assessment conducted after a series of accidents on Metro-North Rail Road that serves Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. As a result, Metro-North was directed to address twenty-five specific recommendations covering eight safety critical concerns in an effort to mitigate risk and to begin a turnaround of the railroad’s safety culture.

“Safety is our top priority, and by acting now, we can help prevent a serious accident where commuters could be hurt,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “We’re taking immediate action to help Metra identify and remedy safety risks and to ensure the safety of all passengers.”

FRA investigators will focus on three recent incidents involving speeding and signal violations, which resulted in three Metra engineers losing their certifications. During the course of the investigation, FRA inspectors will:

Interview all affected employees
Review event recorder tapes and video recordings
Review operations testing records
Review radio tapes
Review Metra’s locomotive engineer qualifications certification program
Investigators will also perform a comprehensive audit of Metra’s program of tests and inspections for its operating employees that will:

Analyze testing records for 2013 and 2014
Review training, qualification, and competency of testing officers
Conduct testing sessions with Metra officers
Conduct independent background reviews on Metra employees
Perform speed checks
“Rider safety must always be the top concern for our transit systems, and the FRA has proven itself a ready and willing partner in reinforcing that priority for Metra,” said U.S. Senator Richard Durbin. “I trust this assessment will help identify and eliminate the problems that caused recent speeding and signal violations and help Metra continue performing to the highest standards of safety. In addition, I encourage Metra to remain committed to implementing Positive Train Control as soon as possible throughout the system, which can help prevent the most recent operator errors. We must always work to ensure every passenger can enjoy the fullest peace of mind during their time on Metra.”

In addition, FRA personnel will meet with labor leaders and Metra employees to listen to their concerns regarding these recent events.

“Our focused deep dive safety assessment will help us better understand the facts that led to these recent events and provide us an opportunity to assess Metra’s testing, training, performance, and compliance programs and ensure the public’s confidence in Metra,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “Railroad safety has significantly improved over the last decade, but we owe it to the public to always do better. Our ultimate goal is to drive continuous safety improvement.”

FRA’s strategy for continuous safety improvement is founded on three pillars: a rigorous oversight and inspection program based on strategic use of data; advancing proactive approaches for early identification and mitigation of risk; and capital investments and a robust research and development program.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. and REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 24, 2022 — FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) on Monday announced the next solution as part of their multiyear collaboration to transform commerce, supply chains and logistics. FedEx and Microsoft will bring together FedEx network intelligence with capabilities from Microsoft Dynamics 365 to introduce a cross-platform “logistics as a service” for retailers, merchants and brands.

The companies share a vision for reimagining commerce experiences for businesses so they can offer their consumers more integrated ways to shop, and faster, more efficient deliveries. In today’s world of just-in-time supply chains, global trade and accelerated e-commerce growth, speed, flexibility and visibility are critical. Customer needs and expectations have shifted across every industry. Together, FedEx and Microsoft are using tools like artificial intelligence and machine learning to extrapolate new insights from the 17 million packages that pass through the FedEx network each day to help brands deliver improved customer experiences.

Cross-platform, logistics as a service solution for brands
The companies announced plans to introduce a unique data integration coupling data insights from FedEx with Dynamics 365 Intelligent Order Management to help brands access new information and capabilities to better fulfill, ship and service customer orders while easily integrating with their existing e-commerce platforms. This cross-platform approach helps brands deliver modern, high-value experiences directly to their customers including faster, more cost-effective delivery; near real-time delivery status communications; and convenient, frictionless returns with approximately 60,000 drop-off locations and printerless QR codes. For brands facing increased pressure to build affinity while managing higher order volumes, ensuring cost-effective fulfilment and reducing costly customer service calls, this new technology brings unprecedented opportunity to leverage existing systems of record, optimize fulfillment and deliver on their order promises with increased precision, while benefiting from a more complete view of their customer.

“Nearly two years ago we set out on a mission with Microsoft to transform the commerce ecosystem,” said Raj Subramaniam, president and COO of FedEx Corp. “In that time, we’ve made significant progress, leveraging Microsoft Azure technology with our FedEx Surround solution, which provides critical support in enabling advanced monitoring of time-sensitive priority shipments. This next phase of our collaboration will continue to connect the unmatched supply chain insights from the FedEx network with the Microsoft Cloud to improve e-commerce experiences for brands, merchants and consumers.”

Dynamics 365 Intelligent Order Management uses data and AI to create an omnichannel order management application that integrates with existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems and can leverage an ecosystem of other order source systems such as online e-commerce marketplaces, mobile apps and social commerce alongside traditional ordering channels like electronic data interchange (EDI) or brick and mortar point-of-sale. The platform is equipped with prebuilt connectors to the leading tools brands already use for omnichannel order intake, cross-channel order fulfillment and delivery, and rules-based order orchestration actions within a low-code/no-code environment that uses AI and machine learning. Coupled with data and visibility into the FedEx network, the companies aim to empower businesses with new, innovative ways to better serve their customers.

“More than ever, it’s clear just how critical having a resilient supply chain is for every organization’s success in the modern economy,” said Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO, Microsoft. “We’re bringing data and insights from the FedEx network together with the Microsoft Cloud, starting with Dynamics 365, to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation across their business operations so they can offer customers more integrated ways to shop, and faster, more efficient deliveries.”

Empowering all industries with increased logistics supply chain visibility
FedEx and Microsoft joined forces in May 2020 to enable businesses to better compete in today’s increasingly digital commerce ecosystem. The pandemic has dramatically accelerated e-commerce adoption and the digital transformations of business of all sizes. Pre-pandemic, FedEx projected that the U.S. domestic package market would hit 100 million packages per day by calendar year 2026. The market is now expected to hit this mark four years sooner than expected, growing to 110 million packages a day in 2022 — with 86% of that growth expected to come from e-commerce.

FedEx Surround, the first FedEx customer-facing solution built using Microsoft Azure cloud technology, is a testament to the collaboration’s innovative potential and immediate impact on how data is used in logistics. Built to leverage the millions of data points across the FedEx network, the FedEx Surround platform leverages AI, machine learning and analytics solutions to proactively monitor the risk to FedEx packages along a delivery route — such as weather disruptions or traffic delays. This near real-time information provides customers with visibility to the state of their supply chain and allows them to proactively plan remediation and alternatives that FedEx can help execute to keep a shipment on track.

FedEx Surround was deployed in December 2020 and has been instrumental in supporting COVID-19 vaccine transportation. The platform enabled FedEx to manage monitoring this significant increase in priority shipment volume.

Availability
Seamless FedEx data integration with Dynamics 365 Intelligent Order Management is expected to be available to customers in the U.S. in the second half of 2022.

About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $90 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively, operating collaboratively and innovating digitally under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 600,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit about.fedex.com.

About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

“One big reason trade is no longer growing rapidly is the rise of protectionism,” said FedEx Chairman and CEO Frederick W. Smith today in his address at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) World Cargo Symposium. “History shows protectionism – whatever the justification – stifles competitiveness, innovation and consumer choice.”

In his analysis of the global air express industry, Mr. Smith detailed how fuel efficiency in modern aircraft, along with the Internet marketplace, has changed the airport-to-airport air cargo market.

While shipments of smaller packages and light freight continues to grow, he noted, ‘most national customs systems are far behind the needs of this market and will impede its growth if systems are not modernized.”

Given that the overall picture for world trade is a concern in the short-term, there is much potential for streamlining regulations, and improving economic growth and job creation with upcoming trade initiatives, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with Pacific Rim countries, and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with Europe.

He called on the industry to actively support new U.S. trade treaties in order to deliver the kind of innovative services required by today’s global markets.

The following are excerpts from his speech

Transformation through Innovation is a great theme for this symposium because today the air cargo industry is in the midst of a profound transformation that requires new ways of thinking about our future. However, that future is unlikely to be analogous to the industry’s ―Golden

Age of the 1990s and early 21st century.
To understand where we’re going, it’s important to review the macroeconomic and technological factors that led to air cargo’s spectacular growth.

The growth of trade and air cargo
Surveying the devastation of World War II, American leaders like Secretary of State Cordell Hull believed the integration of world markets would be essential to rebuild countries ravaged by the war.

 The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, or GATT, was the result, and America’s opening its markets was a key element in the recovery of Germany and Japan, (slide 2 – Asian Tigers) in the emergence of a strong European economy, and in the rise of the

―Four Tigers‖ of Asia—Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Korea, where significant investments in manufacturing in the 60s, 70s and 80s lifted tens of millions out of poverty.

Trans-Pacific and Asia-to-Europe air shipments of electronics and auto parts were integral to the development of sprawling supply chains throughout the world.

The backbone of these networks was the Boeing 747F, introduced in 1971, with economics that were a quantum jump over previous generations of air freighters.

It’s important to note that America’s post-World War II embrace of free trade was based on geopolitical considerations as much as commercial calculations.

 Accordingly, the United States’ relatively open markets were often sacrificed to more mercantile practices of some trading partners.
 As normalized relations were restored with China, and the GATT morphed into the WTO, the stage was set for the most phenomenal economic transformation in the modern era—the export-driven rise of China and its accession in 2001 to the WTO.
 Hundreds of millions of people were brought out of poverty in China and other nations such as India and Brazil that embraced more liberal global trade in the 1990s and early 21st century.
 High value-added products—particularly electronics—saw air cargo grow on average at two and a half times the rate of world GDP for two decades.

Post–recession realities
Unfortunately, a number of factors that produced this success story have reversed since the Great Recession of 2008

China’s fantastic economic growth has spawned significant wage increases that dampen exports, and China has adopted an ―Indigenous Innovation‖ policy which favors local companies over foreign competitors despite WTO prohibitions to the contrary.
 Partly as a result, China’s logistics costs are about 20% of GDP vs. 9 to 9.5% in the U.S. Such inefficiencies make it hard for the Chinese economy to evolve to a more consumer-driven economy vs. their current model based on exports and infrastructure investment.
 One big reason trade is no longer growing rapidly is the rise of protectionism, not just in China but around the world. Over the last few years almost every trading nation has instituted policies that permit greater regulatory intervention in the trade processes—often justified by overzealous security considerations. Unfortunately, in many other cases, the protectionism is overt and politically driven. History shows that protectionism—whatever the justification—stifles competitiveness, innovation, and consumer choice.

This news is courtesy of www.fedex.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn., FedEx Corp. announced today that it acquired Bongo International, a leader in cross border enablement technologies and solutions. Bongo International’s capabilities complement and expand the FedEx portfolio of offerings important to the rapidly growing global e-commerce marketplace.

Bongo International’s technology and processes provide a comprehensive and integrated end-to-end solution that helps retailers and e-tailers grow by reaching international e-commerce consumers. Bongo International’s capabilities include duty and tax calculations; export compliance management; HS classification; currency conversions; international payment options inclusive of language translation; shopping cart management and fraud protection.

With a base of over 2,000 retailers across Europe, the UK and U.S., Bongo International is currently delivering cross border enablement solutions to more than 200 countries worldwide.

“We anticipate global e-commerce to continue on a double digit growth trajectory,” said T. Michael Glenn, FedEx Corporation Executive Vice President, Market Development and Corporate Communications. “Bongo International’s end-to-end cross border enablement capabilities will greatly enhance the FedEx portfolio of global e-commerce solutions and provide customers with unmatched flexibility to establish and expand their international business and customer base.”

“Our knowledge and experience within the evolving cross border enablement environment, as well as our customer-centric culture, is a perfect fit with FedEx. We’re excited about joining the FedEx family,” said Craig Turnbull, Bongo International Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “Our collective cross border and transportation solutions will catapult our customers’ global e-commerce business capabilities.”

Bongo International is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla. and will operate as a subsidiary of FedEx Trade Networks.

About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $46 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 300,000 team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.

About Bongo International
Bongo International helps consumers and businesses overcome the obstacles associated with international e-commerce shipments and orders. Bongo International supports more than 250,000 customers in more than 200 countries, as well as EU, UK and U.S. online retailers through a comprehensive end-to-end suite of solutions covering accurate duty and tax calculations; export compliance management; HS classification; currency conversions; international payment options inclusive of language translation; shopping cart management; fraud protection.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.— FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), announced it has entered into a purchase agreement with Textron Aviation, Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, that will continue the modernization of the company’s fleet of feeder aircraft.

FedEx Express has agreed to purchase 50 clean-sheet design Cessna SkyCourier 408 aircraft, with options to purchase up to 50 additional aircraft. Delivery of the first aircraft is expected in mid-2020, with subsequent deliveries on a schedule of one aircraft per month over a four-year period.

“This continues our very successful fleet modernization strategy, which improves our fuel efficiency, reliability and operating costs,” said David L. Cunningham, President and CEO, FedEx Express. “We worked closely with Textron Aviation to develop the Cessna SkyCourier 408, which includes several key features that will help us grow our business in small and medium-sized markets, especially in the air freight segment.”

Cessna SkyCourier 408 key features:

twin-engine, high-wing turboprop
digital cockpit
aft Large Cargo Door (LCD)
flat floor cabin equipped to handle up to three LD3 containers and a 6,000 lb. maximum payload
The Cessna SkyCourier 408 will be assembled by Textron Aviation in Wichita, Kansas. The twin-engine, high-wing turboprop has almost twice the volumetric capacity of the single engine Cessna Caravan 208 currently in the FedEx Express feeder fleet. Unlike FedEx’s current feeder aircraft, the aircraft has a large 87” x 69” cargo door, which will support container and pallet operations. The large cargo doors will help FedEx to provide even faster service to air freight customers who ship to or from smaller markets in its network.

Earlier this month, FedEx announced the purchase of 30 ATR 72-600F aircraft with the option to purchase up to 20 more as a first step to modernizing the company’s feeder fleet. “These aircraft purchases are part of our long-term feeder fleet strategy,” said Greg Hall, Executive Vice President of Air Operations, FedEx Express. “That strategy will not only improve our fuel efficiency and fleet reliability, but thanks to a collaborative training program we are planning, will create a reliable pipeline of well-qualified pilot applicants for FedEx Express pilot jobs, leveraging the experience they will gain in our feeder system.”

The FedEx Express Feeder network is a strategic component of the overall global linehaul network, serving markets too small for direct FedEx Express air linehaul service and markets where FedEx Express does not have operating rights. The Feeder network is composed of more than 300 aircraft serving 45 countries. Most of these feeder aircraft are owned by FedEx and are leased and operated by different third-party air carriers under their own operating certificates. The FedEx feeder fleet is comprised of aircraft under 60,000 pounds maximum gross take-off weight, and allows the company to provide fast, economical service to small and medium-sized markets around the world.

The FedEx feeder fleet complements the company’s jet fleet of over 360 aircraft, including Boeing 777s, B767s and B757s, MD11s, MD10s, Airbus 300s and Airbus 310s.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — In a major rebuke to the board, more than 62 percent of FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX) shares voted in favor of a shareholder resolution filed by the Teamsters and As You Sow, a shareholder advocacy group, demanding greater transparency of FedEx’s lobbying activities.

The resolution saw its support more than doubled from last year, reflecting growing investor concern for the surreptitious ways companies like FedEx are influencing public policy. Meanwhile, Teamster led concerns over the board’s decision to allow executives to ‘double-dip’ on bonuses amid the pandemic prompted nearly a quarter of shares to oppose FedEx’s executive pay plan.

“FedEx needs to be honest with its shareholders over how it is using their money to lobby for controversial and divisive policies – it is that simple,” said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall. “Given the vote, anything short of full disclosure puts the credibility of the board at risk and only begs the question: What is FedEx trying to hide?”

FedEx spent over $142 million on federal lobbying over the past decade. However, this figure does not include state-level lobbying or the lobbying FedEx indirectly funds through its membership in trade associations, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:
Galen Munroe, (202) 439-7427
gmunroe@teamster.org

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters

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MEMPHIS, Tenn., … FedEx Corp. announced today the online release of its 2014 Global Citizenship Report (GCR). Now in its seventh year of publication, the GCR tracks the company’s efforts to connect the world in responsible and resourceful ways.

Among the most notable accomplishments detailed in this year’s GCR, FedEx made significant strides in its commitment to environmental impacts, saving 100 million gallons of jet fuel at FedEx Express and avoiding more than 976,000 metric tons of carbon emissions. The accomplishments were results from FedEx® Fuel Sense and aircraft modernization programs. Since 2007, Fuel Sense initiatives have collectively saved the company more than 330 million gallons of jet fuel, the equivalent of 500 Olympic-size swimming pools.

“What you see in this report is a testament to the extensive work of more than 325,000 global team members,” said Mitch Jackson, vice president of Environmental Affairs and Sustainability, FedEx Corp. “We connect people and possibilities on six continents, and we work to do so responsibly and resourcefully. Whether that’s reducing emissions, improving pedestrian and road safety or using our logistical expertise to help others in times of disaster, we aim to deliver a brighter future and link people to thriving markets and economies.”

FedEx connects more than 90% of the world’s GDP and has a presence in 220 countries and territories. As represented in its logo, the company moves possibilities forward and applies that concept to its efforts of improving economic development, the environment, communities and people.

Highlights from this year’s GCR include:

Economic Development
In its fiscal year 2014, FedEx revenue grew by 3% and its operating margin rose to 7.6%. This economic activity creates wealth and opportunity for a wide range of stakeholders. Now in the 10th year of collaboration, FedEx and the U.S. Commercial Service helped provide trade education to more than 72,000 businesses. FedEx also invested $6.5 billion in diverse supplier spending, which includes small, minority and women owned businesses.

Environment
FedEx Express improved its vehicle fuel efficiency by an additional 2.5%, bringing the cumulative improvement to 29.5% from a 2005 baseline. Having nearly achieved its goal of 30% by 2020, the company expects to surpass and then revisit that goal in 2015. FedEx also opened two new facilities that generate on-site solar energy, bringing the cumulative total to 11. Together, these solar facilities produced more than 8 million kWh of electricity, avoiding 3,145 metric tons of carbon emissions. FedEx was again recognized in 2014 as one of the Top 25 solar-generating companies in the U.S.

Community
FedEx donated its network and logistics expertise to assist in the movement of more than 140 pallets of vital medical supplies to West Africa to counter the recent Ebola outbreak. Collectively, FedEx provided more than 6.7 million pounds of charitable shipping and more than $45 million in charitable contributions.

People
FORTUNE again ranked FedEx as one of the “World’s Most Admired Companies”. Since 2001, FedEx has ranked among the top 20 in this list that looks at financial performance and corporate reputation. FedEx also ranked among the “40 Best Companies for Diversity” by Black Enterprise Magazine in 2014.

FedEx undertook a robust materiality analysis this year with internal and external stakeholders to help refine its global citizenship strategy and to ensure it continues to address areas of maximum impact. The results of this assessment reconfirmed its current strategy but, in the next year, FedEx plans to again review issues to ensure that the company measures and manages what matters most and moves possibilities forward.

MEMPHIS, Tenn., — FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) released its sixth annual Global Citizenship Report today, outlining steps the company has taken to build a more sustainable business by improving its operational efficiency and engaging in local communities.

“FedEx continues to make the investments that will provide more sustainable access and future opportunities for our business, our customers and the communities we serve,” said Mitch Jackson, vice \president of Environmental Affairs and Sustainability for FedEx. “By focusing on strategic initiatives in both our company and the community at large, we are helping to meet the long-term economic and social needs of FedEx and the community.”

The report demonstrates that one key indicator of these efforts has been the reduction of the company’s environmental footprint while experiencing year-over-year growth. In fact, FedEx revenues were up in fiscal year 2013 while emissions from the company’s owned and operated fleet and facilities dropped by 1.3 percent. However, as the report outlines, FedEx leadership and improvements in its operational sustainability—and its environmental and industry impact— are just one of the many ways that FedEx is providing long-term value to the business and the communities in which it operates. In addition to environmental efficiency, the report outlines key progress in areas such as economics and market access, community and disaster relief, and people and workplace.

FedEx Fosters Connections to Open Markets and Small Business Growth

By focusing on creating open and accessible markets, FedEx provides long-term value for shareholders, communities, customers, and local and global economies. FedEx is a strong proponent of policies and agreements that remove barriers to trade and simplify international business. In FY13, the company actively promoted the expansion of free trade through proposed agreements like the International Services Agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. FedEx was also a strong advocate for the groundbreaking World Trade Organization Facilitation agreement that was concluded in December 2013.

Trade isn’t just about large multi-national corporations—with the growth of e-commerce, small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) are playing an increasingly large role in the global economy. FedEx draws on its 40 years’ worth of expertise in trade regulations, supply chain management and logistics to help SMEs succeed in the global marketplace. The company’s work in this area expanded in FY13, highlighted by the launch in spring 2013 of the FedEx Small Business Center—a new hub for small business resources and information on topics including international shipping, regulatory and paperwork requirements for different nations and value-added services by country. FedEx also launched the second edition of its Small Business Grant Contest in January of 2014, which awarded $50,000 in grants to small businesses looking to improve their operations.

FedEx Closes the Gap on Emissions through Fleet Efficiencies

FedEx continues to have a primary focus on minimizing its environmental impact of its operations while growing the business. Through innovations and improvements across the business, FedEx continues to shrink its environmental footprint, increase operational efficiencies and make progress against the company’s 2020 sustainability goals.

In 2013, FedEx reduced its aircraft CO2 emissions intensity by 4.2 percent even while increasing the total number of flights as well as business revenue. This decrease brought total reduction in aircraft CO2 emissions intensity to 22.3 percent from a 2005 baseline, keeping the company on track to meet its goal of a 30 percent reduction by 2020.

Similar progress was made with the FedEx Express vehicle fleet, which saw a five percent fuel efficiency improvement in 2013. This also keeps the company on track to meet its target of a 30 percent improvement from a 2005 baseline by 2020, with a cumulative improvement now at 27 percent to date.

Much of these improvements can be credited towards the ongoing fleet modernization FedEx has committed to. Past efforts like aircraft replacement have resulted in cost savings of up to 30% while also cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Additional benefits were realized by adding more than 3,700 advanced technology surface vehicles, which includes high-efficiency clean diesel, electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and compressed and liquefied natural gas systems.

FedEx Connects Communities with Resources Needed to Survive and Thrive

FedEx understands the power of access in creating social and economic opportunity, and believes such connectivity should extend beyond customers to people in need. This is why for more than forty years FedEx has deployed resources when and where they are needed most. In FY13, total charitable contributions across all FedEx giving areas—consisting of direct cash contributions, donated shipping and team member contributions—totaled more than $46 million. Additionally, thousands of FedEx team members participated in a wide variety of community service projects throughout the year, helping make their local communities better places to live, work and play.

When disasters hit, the reach and reliability of the FedEx global network enables rapid access to affected regions, allowing the company to quickly deploy its people, transportation network and logistics expertise to aid those in need. To prepare for emergencies, the company sets aside at least four million pounds of disaster-related charitable shipping capacity each year. In FY13, this totaled $7.15 million in cash and in-kind shipping to charitable organizations coordinating relief efforts.

This capability was on full display after Typhoon Haiyan struck in November 2013, which left millions of people in Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, in desperate need of food, water and access to medical and pharmaceutical supplies. FedEx took quick action, teaming up with Direct Relief and Heart to Heart International to deliver more than $10 million worth of relief aid and medical supplies to communities across the region.

The company’s dedication to improving communities is not limited to times of disaster. With more than 90,000 FedEx owned and contracted vehicles on the road each day, pedestrian and road safety is also a core value and top priority for bettering the communities in which its team members live and work. Since 2000, FedEx has worked with Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations aiming to prevent accidental injury. In FY13, Safe Kids Walk This Way—a joint awareness raising program that provides year-round community outreach initiatives, creates safer walking environments and conducts risk assessments to improve sidewalks and crosswalks for children—expanded to 241 cities worldwide and drew more than 720,000 participants.

Making sure the local communities in which FedEx team members live and work are sustainable is another top priority for FedEx. In April 2013, coinciding with the company’s 40th anniversary celebration, FedEx volunteers took part in EarthSmart Outreach and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation projects in 14 U.S. cities, supported by FedEx grants totaling more than $500,000, as well as national, state and local government matching grants totaling more than $3 million. More than 677 team members volunteered, a 14.5 percent increase from 2012.

More information about the accomplishments highlighted here and additional stories about the FedEx commitment to responsible corporate citizenship may be found in the online version of the FedEx 2013 Global Citizenship Update at csr.fedex.com.

About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $45 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 300,000 team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.

A highly respected consulting firm, Woodrooffe Dynamics LLC, was commissioned to do a comparative performance evaluation of 33′ doubles compared to 28′ doubles. The study included computer simulations of the double 33’s. No significant safety concerns were identified. With respect to several parameters, the 33′ configuration improved handling and stability.

Pavement and Bridge Damage Reduced
While not increasing the maximum permitted weight, the HR-7 provision would result in 16% more cubic capacity in each set of doubles. The primary users of doubles are package companies and less-than-truckload companies. Since these operators typically fill the trailers with freight that weighs significantly less than the 80,000 lb. maximum, they will be able to utilize fully the additional cubic capacity. This will reduce the number of truck trips accordingly, with a commensurate reduction in pavement wear. Because the double 33’s spread the weight of the truck out, there should be a positive impact on some bridges.

Congestion Reduced
The American Trucking Association estimates that trucks will haul 30% more freight in just ten years. The increased cubic capacity of double 33’s will reduce the number of additional trucks on our roads required to carry this substantial increase in freight.

Emissions Reduced
16% more cubic capacity means an equivalent reduction in overall fuel burned by doubles and the related emissions.

International Competition and Productivity
Other nations, such as Canada, allow for longer truck combinations that in turn allow them to be more productive. In order for the U. S. to remain competitive, we need to be on a level playing field.

Additionally, the increased productivity of double 33’s will reduce the cost of freight transportation. Trucking is an intensely competitive business, which means shippers and ultimately consumers benefit from improved productivity.

Supporters
American Trucking Association, National Association of Manufacturers, NIT League, FedEx, UPS, AAA Cooper Transportation, ABF Freight System, Inc. (ABF), Con-Way Inc., Estes Express Lines, Volvo Trucks North America and YRC Worldwide.

MEMPHIS, Tenn., FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight, subsidiaries of FedEx Corp., will increase shipping rates effective January 4, 2016. FedEx Express will increase shipping rates by an average of 4.9% for U.S. domestic, U.S. export and U.S. import services. FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery will increase shipping rates by an average of 4.9%. FedEx SmartPost rates will also change.

FedEx is also increasing surcharges for shipments that exceed the published maximum dimensions (“unauthorized packages”) in the FedEx Ground network and updating certain fuel surcharge tables at FedEx Express and FedEx Ground effective November 2, 2015. Details of these changes will be available on fedex.com by September 23, 2015. Unauthorized packages that exceed the length or weight limitations of the FedEx Ground network are handled at the option of FedEx Ground. The changes related to fuel and unauthorized surcharges are in response to changing industry demand dynamics, including increases in average package size and weight and increased residential deliveries.

FedEx Freight will increase shipping rates by an average of 4.9%. This rate change applies to eligible FedEx Freight shipments within the U.S. (including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), between the contiguous U.S. and Canada, within Canada, between the contiguous U.S. and Mexico, and within Mexico.

Details of all changes to rates and surcharges are available at: http://www.fedex.com/rates2016

About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $47 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 325,000 team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX) announced today that FedEx Trade Networks, Inc. is being rebranded as FedEx Logistics. The new name describes the company’s ability to meet its customers’ increasingly complex and industry-specific supply chain, transportation, value-added services, and brokerage needs. FedEx Logistics provides specialty solutions that complete a simple, seamless and powerful global trade experience for FedEx customers around the world.

“We’re adding tremendous value by bringing all of the specialty services we offer under the FedEx Logistics banner,” said Richard W. Smith, president & CEO of FedEx Logistics. “The global solutions we offer are dynamic and customizable, and the experience for our customers is more streamlined, more efficient and better represented as a collective competitive offering as FedEx Logistics. Our simplified customer interface and comprehensive ability to meet every logistics need will have a profound effect for FedEx customers, our team members, and on our industry as a whole.”

FedEx Logistics will continue to operate from its global headquarters in Memphis, Tenn. The organization’s service offerings include:

• Air & Ocean Cargo Networks
• Trade Brokerage & Facilitation
• Custom Critical Services
• Supply Chain Services
• Cross Border E-Commerce & Fulfillment
• Forward Depots & 3D Printing

The capabilities within these specialty logistics service offerings include air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage and international trade compliance, warehousing and transportation management, time- and temperature-controlled deliveries, critical inventory logistics, solutions for cost-effective international e-commerce trade and fulfillment, and repair and return services.

Serving more than 200 countries, FedEx Logistics leverages the power of the extensive international FedEx transportation network to provide customers a single source for end-to-end management of their shipments and global supply chains.

About FedEx Logistics
FedEx Logistics plays a key role within the FedEx portfolio, connecting 95 percent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) with its comprehensive suite of specialty logistics solutions. The company provides air and ocean freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, specialty transportation, cross border e-commerce technology services, customs brokerage, and trade management tools and data from a single trusted source. For more information, visit fedex.com/logistics.

About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $69 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 450,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. To learn more about how FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world, please visit about.fedex.com.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced it has awarded $1 million in grants to nine technical and community colleges across the country to help train returning military veterans for jobs as commercial bus and truck drivers. The funding is provided through FMCSA’s Commercial Motor Vehicle – Operator Safety Training (CMV-OST) grant program.

“Those that we entrust to protect and serve our nation deserve opportunities that utilize the skills and training they received on the job on military bases overseas and at home,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “We can think of none more appropriate to safeguard our highways as commercial vehicle drivers than the thousands of veterans who have already proven they can safely handle large vehicles under extremely stressful circumstances.”

“These unique grants are designed to help recruit, train and place veterans and their spouses in good jobs that are in high demand and in an industry that is vitally important in keeping our national economy moving forward,” said FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling. “Graduates of these training programs are continuing to serve our nation by ensuring that the goods and products we depend on are delivered professionally, efficiently and, most importantly, safely.”

FMCSA awards CMV-OST grants to organizations that provide truck driving training, including accredited public or private colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools, post-secondary educational institutions, truck driver training schools, associations, and state and local governments, including federally-recognized Native American tribal governments. The funds are used to recruit, train, and provide students job placement assistance after graduation.

The 2014 FMCSA grants announced today will provide training for nearly 400 new students. The awards were made to the following organizations:

Florida – South Florida State College, Avon Park, Fla., $58,003

Illinois – Joliet Junior College, Joliet, Ill., $165,800

Minnesota – Century College in White Bear Lake, Minn., $91,080

Missouri – Crowder College, Neosho, Mo., $72,160

Nebraska – Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, Ne., $47,614

Pennsylvania – Northampton County Area Community College, Bethlehem, Pa., $134,400

Pennsylvania – The Sage Corporation, Camp Hill, Pa., $249,968

Texas – Lone Star College-North Harris, Houston, Texas, $73,704

Virginia – Tidewater Community College, Norfolk, Va., $107,271

The Commercial Motor Vehicle – Operator Safety Training Grant Program was established by Congress in 2005 through the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), to expand the number of commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders possessing enhanced operator safety training to help reduce the severity and number of crashes on U.S. roads involving large trucks and buses.

In July 2014, FMCSA announced that the Military Skills Test Waiver Program had been expanded to include all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Under this program, state licensing agencies have authority to waive the skills test portion of the CDL application for active duty or recently separated veterans who possess at least two years of safe driving experience operating a military truck or bus. Waiving the skills test expedites the civilian commercial drivers licensing application process and reduces expenses for qualified individuals and operating costs to state licensing agencies.

FMCSA also announced this summer that, commencing with Virginia residents, returning military service personnel who possess a state-issued Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificate due to a limb impairment will automatically be recognized as equivalent to an FMCSA-issued SPE certificate and allowed to obtain an interstate commercial driver’s license (CDL). FMCSA encourages other state licensing agencies to establish comparable equivalency SPE programs.

To learn more about the Commercial Motor Vehicle – Operator Safety Training Grant Program, please visit http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/grants/cmv-operator-safety-training-grant/commercial-motor-vehicle-cmv-operator-safety-training.

For a listing of last year’s CMV – OST grant recipients, please visit http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/federal-motor-carrier-safety-administration-announces-almost-1-million-train-veterans

To learn more about the Military Skills Test Waiver Program, please visit http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/cdl/Military-CDL-Waiver.aspx

To learn more about the U.S. Department of Transportation’s dedication to our nation’s veterans, please visit http://www.dot.gov/veteranstransportationcareers.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced a proposed rule to establish a drug and alcohol clearinghouse for all national commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders. The clearinghouse would help improve roadway safety by making it easier to determine whether a truck or bus driver is prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle for failing to comply with federal drug and alcohol regulations, including mandatory testing.

“Safety is our highest priority, and we will continue to embrace new tools and opportunities that protect the travelers on our nation’s roads,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Today’s proposal will help ensure dangerous drivers stay off the road, while encouraging the employment of the many safe drivers who follow our drug and alcohol requirements.”

Current federal regulations require employers to conduct mandatory pre-employment screening of a CDL driver’s qualifications based upon his or her driving record. However, there has not been a single federal repository recording positive drug and alcohol tests by CDL holders that employers would be able to search to ensure that the driver is able to perform safety-sensitive duties.

The proposed rule announced today would create such a repository and require employers to conduct pre-employment searches for all new CDL drivers and annual searches on current drivers.

“We are leveraging technology to create a one-stop verification point to help companies hire drug and alcohol-free drivers,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “This proposal moves us further down the road toward improving safety for truck and bus companies, commercial drivers and the motoring public everywhere.”

Under the proposed rule announced today, FMCSA-regulated truck and bus companies, Medical Review Officers, Substance Abuse Professionals, and private, third party USDOT drug and alcohol testing laboratories would be required to record information about a driver who:

Fails a drug and/or alcohol test;
Refuses to submit to a drug and/or alcohol test; and
Successfully completes a substance abuse program and is legally qualified to return to duty.
Private, third-party USDOT drug and alcohol testing laboratories also would be required to report summary information annually. This information would be used to help identify companies that do not have a testing program.

To ensure the privacy of drivers involved, each CDL holder would need to provide his or her consent, before an employer could access the clearinghouse.

Drivers who refuse to provide this information could still be employed by the truck or bus company; however, they could not occupy safety-sensitive positions, such as operating a commercial motor vehicle.

It is a violation of federal regulations to drive a truck or bus under the influence of controlled substances or alcohol. Federal safety regulations require that truck and bus companies that employ CDL drivers conduct random drug and alcohol testing programs. Carriers must randomly test 10 percent of their CDL drivers for alcohol and 50 percent of their CDL drivers for drugs each year.

For each of the past three years, federal and state safety inspectors have conducted approximately 3.5 million random roadside inspections of commercial vehicles and of their drivers.

In 2013, on 2,095 occasions, or in 0.23 percent of the unannounced inspections, a CDL holder was immediately placed out-of-service and cited for violating federal regulations governing alcohol consumption. In 2012, FMCSA records show that there were 2,494 violations of this regulation.

In 2013, on 1,240 occasions, or in 0.13 percent of the unannounced inspections, a CDL holder was placed immediately out-of-service and cited for violating federal regulations governing controlled substances. In 2012, FMCSA records show that there were 1,139 violations of this regulation,

In addition to random testing, truck and bus companies are further required to perform drug and alcohol testing on new hires, drivers involved in significant crashes, and whenever a supervisor suspects a driver of using drugs or alcohol while at work.

The proposed rule announced today was directed by Congress in the most recent transportation bill, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act.

This Press Release is courtesy of www.dot.gov

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today published its first multi-state plan for a comprehensive, high-performing passenger rail network that will support rail planning in six Southwestern states over the next 35 years. This is the first multi-state rail planning effort FRA has embarked upon, making it a model for future regional planning efforts.

“Our nation’s transportation systems must be interconnected and efficient across regions to meet current and future demand,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This study represents a major step forward, and will become a guide post for mobility and intermodal connections throughout the Southwest.”

The Southwest study was developed with regional stakeholders and state agencies considering existing travel conditions and future demand. The Southwest study examines connections to emerging rail markets in six Southwest states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.

The study supports development of safe, reliable, efficient, and interconnected multimodal travel options, and envisions a rail network that supports environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It illustrates how connections to local transit, aviation, highways, and other modes can be integrated for travelers on a regional basis in a cost-effective manner.

“Planning is the fundamental bedrock to being ready to compete for federal funding as it becomes available,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “The Southwest study provides a new regional model for other states and regions to follow as they prepare for future passenger and freight rail development.”

The Southwest region’s longstanding interest in creating a higher-performing rail network helped bring the prototype study together. A diverse group of stakeholders—representing state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, transit agencies, Amtrak, freight railroads, and private rail developers—were fully engaged in this effort. Click here to read the study.

WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today closed on a $967.1 million Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan with New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in order to facilitate the deployment of Positive Train Control (PTC) on both the Metro-North Railroad (Metro North) and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). It is the largest RRIF loan in FRA’s history.

“This loan will help prevent derailments and ensure the safety of the riding public,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Continuous investment in rail technology and infrastructure will enable us to meet the growing demand for rail while saving lives.”

The RRIF program provides direct federal loans and loan guarantees to finance the acquisition and development of railroad and intermodal facilities and equipment. The FRA gives priority to projects that provide public benefits, including benefits to public safety, the environment, and economic development. As part of the President’s Build America Investment Initiative, the Department has established the Build America Transportation Investment Center to encourage the use of innovative financing tools such as RRIF.

The loan will help establish an additional layer of safeguards that will increase safety for LIRR and Metro-North customers, employees, and residents of the communities served by the railroads. MTA will integrate PTC with existing safety controls that the LIRR and Metro-North currently have in place and have used for decades.

“PTC is the backbone of the next generation of rail safety and we are committed to its full deployment and implementation,” said Acting Federal Railroad Administrator Sarah Feinberg. “There are 166 million rides taken on LIRR and Metro-North annually. Installing PTC will further ensure the safety of employees and passengers alike while boosting public confidence in both railroads.”

To date, FRA has given out 34 RRIF loans totaling nearly $2.7 billion. Click HERE for more information on FRA’s RRIF Program.

Rail – Moving America Forward

The mission of the Federal Railroad Administration is to enable the safe, reliable, and efficient movement of people and goods for a strong America, now and in the future.

– See more at: http://www.dot.gov/briefing-room/federal-railroad-administration-issues-9671-million-mta-loan-finance-critical-safety#sthash.sDs58E8W.dpuf

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently conducted an inspection of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) rail and bus systems that identified organizational deficiencies and operational concerns that significantly limit WMATA’s ability to recognize and resolve safety issues.

FTA found serious safety lapses in Metrorail’s Rail Operations Control Center, which schedules and conducts maintenance work, manages abnormal and emergency events, and ensures the safety of trains and personnel on the right-of-way. In key areas, WMATA is not effectively balancing safety-critical operations and maintenance activities with the demand for passenger service.

“These are serious findings that strongly indicate that, despite gains made since the Fort Totten accident, WMATA’s safety program is inadequate,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx. “WMATA management, its board of directors and its state safety oversight agency must work together to address FTA’s required actions, because the safety of passengers and personnel must be the top priority.”

FTA conducted the Safety Management Inspection (SMI) as part of its new safety authority established by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) in 2012. The SMI evaluated WMATA’s operations and maintenance programs, safety management capabilities, and organizational structures to assess compliance with its own procedures and rules, existing federal regulations and FTA Safety Advisories to ensure safety for its passengers, employees and system infrastructure. The SMI report includes 54 safety findings: 44 for Metrorail and 10 for Metrobus.

FTA is issuing a Safety Directive to WMATA identifying required actions for each of the safety findings and is requesting the WMATA Board to determine what changes to its Fiscal Year 2016 budget may be necessary to effectively implement the corrective actions.

“WMATA must commit to more employee safety training, increased track time for maintenance work, and a greater effort at identifying and reducing safety risks to deliver the level of safety its passengers and employees deserve,” said FTA Acting Administrator Therese McMillan.

FTA Action on NTSB Recommendation

Also today, FTA announced it is taking action to improve subway tunnel safety nationwide in response to an urgent recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board following the January 12, 2015 WMATA Metrorail incident of smoke in a tunnel near L’Enfant Plaza.

FTA is directing State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOAs) with jurisdiction over rail transit agencies to conduct audits to assess and inspect subway tunnel ventilation systems. After the SSOAs complete and return the audits, FTA will analyze the data to determine potential future rulemaking and safety guidance to the rail transit industry.

“FTA takes NTSB recommendations seriously, and is taking quick action,” said McMillan. “This assessment will provide an opportunity to develop appropriate improvements for the benefits of rail transit riders nationwide.”

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved an application submitted by Franchise Services of North America, Inc. (FSNA) regarding the sale of 22 former Advantage Rent A Car locations, to Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (Hertz) and Avis Budget Group (Avis).

FSNA acquired the locations under a 2012 FTC settlement to resolve charges that Hertz’s proposed $2.3 billion acquisition of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. would have been anticompetitive. On November 5, 2013, FSNA, through a subsidiary, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and the Catalyst Group LLC was the winning bidder for the Advantage assets. The bankruptcy court approved Catalyst’s acquisition of Advantage, subject to FTC approval, which the FTC granted on January 30, 2014.

Catalyst bid on 40 of the Advantage locations and excluded the remaining 28 locations from its purchase. The bankruptcy court has now approved a request by FSNA to sell 22 of these locations — 10 to Hertz and 12 to Avis.

The Commission vote to approve the application was 3-0-2, with Commissioners Joshua D. Wright and Terrell McSweeny not participating. No comments were received during the public comment period. Copies of the application can be found on the FTC’s website and as a link to this press release. (FTC File No. 131-0163, Docket No. C-4376; the staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2526)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust{at}ftc{dot}gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 601 New Jersey Ave., N.W., Room 7117, Washington, DC 20001. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – GE Capital Fleet Services today announced that it identified $420 million in potential cost savings for customers in 2014, with customers realizing $210 million in actual savings as a result. By working with fleet customers and analyzing data via its Strategic Consulting Services group, GE Capital Fleet Services is able to highlight areas for savings and has identified $1.6 billion potential savings opportunities for customers since 2011.
In 2014, 50 percent of all identified cost savings were realized by customers, an increase of seven percentage points from 2013. The largest areas of cost savings identified by GE Capital Fleet Services during 2014 were:

Replacement Analysis: Determining the optimal time to cycle vehicles and/or utilizing a short-cycle replacement strategy to decrease vehicle depreciation and capitalize on higher value at auction.

Program Enhancements: Properly managing time and expenses including maintenance, fuel, accident and safety costs, telematics, licensing and registration fees, and toll & violation expenses.
Vehicle Selection: Evaluating fleet vehicle usage requirements to maintain a fleet that maximizes fuel cost savings and minimizes maintenance costs while deploying vehicles that optimally meet driver needs.
Lease Versus Purchase: Determining whether leasing or owning vehicles is the most cost efficient way to manage a specific company’s fleet.
Lease Versus Reimbursement: Identifying cost-cutting opportunities through conversion of companies’ driver reimbursement programs into company vehicle programs.

In addition, GE Capital recently conducted a study of 409 middle-market businesses with fleet operations that uncovered trends in how fleets plan to increase productivity in 2015. Top areas of focus included:

Refining a preventative maintenance strategy to maximize uptime
Specifying the right vehicle for the job/properly upfitting existing vehicles
Defining a comprehensive vehicle replacement/cycling plan
Optimizing routes and maximizing time spent at revenue generating locations

“Some of the biggest areas where fleet managers are seeking productivity enhancements also can provide the opportunity for significant cost savings. This includes preventative maintenance, upfitting, and vehicle replacement strategies,” said Steve Jastrow, Strategic Consulting Services Manager at GE Capital Fleet Services. “As fleets continue to tap these avenues to maximize efficiency, there is an opportunity to simultaneously minimize spend as well.”

“The fact that a full 50 percent of cost savings opportunities were actualized by our customers indicates that fleet managers are increasingly aware of opportunities to trim costs even as they refine operations,” Jastrow said. . “On top of the services and program enhancements that fleet managers turned to in 2014, we believe the continuing trend toward predictive analytics will be an additional area of focus in 2015 as fleets seek to truly maximize efficiencies.”

About GE Capital, Fleet Services
GE Capital Fleet Services, based in Eden Prairie, Minn., is a global fleet management company. With strategic consulting, deep analytical insights and experience in every industry, we’re uniquely positioned to help you continuously drive results – from the road all the way to the board room. In 2014 our fleet customers realized $210 million in savings through opportunities identified by our fleet team. Visit the website at www.gefleet.com or follow the company’s eco news and updates via Twitter (@GEFleetSvcs).

GE Capital offers customers around the globe an array of financial products, services and insights to help them grow their businesses. For more information, visit www.gecapital.com or follow company news via Twitter (@GECapital).

GE (NYSE: GE) imagines things others don’t, builds things others can’t and delivers outcomes that make the world work better. GE brings together the physical and digital worlds in ways no other company can. In its labs and factories and on the ground with customers, GE is inventing the next industrial era to move, power, build and cure the world. www.ge.com

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – June 29, 2015 – GE [NYSE:GE] announced today that it has reached an agreement to sell its U.S., Mexico, Australia and New Zealand fleet businesses to Element Financial Corporation (TSX:EFN) for US$6.9 billion. Separately, GE has signed a memorandum of understanding for the potential sale of its European fleet businesses to Arval, a fully owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas. Arval and GE will now consult with their respective works councils. The transactions’ completion will also be subject to customary regulatory and other local corporate or antitrust approvals.

“We continue to demonstrate speed and execution on our strategy to sell most of the assets of GE Capital,” said Keith Sherin, GE Capital chairman and CEO. “We are on track to execute sales of US$100 billion by the end of 2015 and expect to be substantially done by the end of 2016,” he added.

GE Capital Fleet Services provides commercial car and truck financing and fleet management services, with more than 1.5 million leased, serviced and managed vehicles around the world. Element Financial Corporation is one of North America’s premier fleet management and equipment finance companies. GE Capital sold its Canadian fleet business to Element in 2013. BNP Paribas, through its fully owned subsidiary, Arval, specializes in full service vehicle leasing in 25 countries and in 14 other countries through a network of partners, including a global alliance with Element. Excluded from the transactions is GE Capital’s fleet business in Japan.

“Both Element and Arval are invested in and committed to growth in the fleet industry and our customers will benefit from their strength and expertise,” said Sherin.

As previously announced, GE is embarking on a strategy to focus on its high-value industrial businesses and is selling most GE Capital assets. GE and its Board of Directors have determined that market conditions are favorable to pursue disposition of these assets over the next 18 months. GE will retain the financing “verticals” that relate to GE’s industrial businesses.

Both transactions represent an aggregate of about $8.6 billion of ending net investment (ENI), approximately US$6.0 billion to Element and about US$2.6 billion to Arval. This brings GE Capital’s total announced sales to about US$63 billion to date. GE is on track to execute sales of US$100 billion by the end of 2015. The transactions would, if completed, contribute approximately US$1.8 billion of capital to the overall target of approximately US$35 billion of dividends expected to GE under this plan (subject to regulatory approval).

Sherin concluded, “This announcement is the next step in GE’s transformation to a more focused industrial company.”

The U.S. and Mexico transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2015, and the A&NZ transaction in the fourth quarter of 2015, subject to customary regulatory and other approvals. If approved, the Arval transaction is targeted to close in the fourth quarter of 2015.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provided financial advice to GE and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP provided legal advice.
About GE
GE (NYSE:GE) imagines things others don’t, builds things others can’t and delivers outcomes that make the world work better. GE brings together the physical and digital worlds in ways no other company can. In its labs and factories and on the ground with customers, GE is inventing the next industrial era to move, power, build and cure the world. www.ge.com.

GE’s Investor Relations website at www.ge.com/investor and our corporate blog at www.gereports.com, as well as GE’s Facebook page and Twitter accounts, including @GE_Reports, contain a significant amount of information about GE, including financial and other information for investors. GE encourages investors to visit these websites from time to time, as information is updated and new information is posted.

About Element Financial Corporation
With total assets of approximately C$21 billion, Element Financial Corporation is one of North America’s leading fleet management and equipment finance companies. Element operates across North America in four verticals of the equipment finance market – Commercial & Vendor Finance, Aviation Finance, Railcar Finance and Fleet Management.

About Arval
Founded in 1989 and fully owned by BNP Paribas, Arval specialises in full service vehicle leasing. Arval offers its customers – professionals, SMEs and large international corporates – tailored solutions that optimise their employees’ mobility and outsource the risks associated with fleet management. Expert advice and service quality, which are the foundations of Arval’s customer promise, are delivered in 25 countries by over 4,000 employees, and in 14 other countries through a network of partners. Arval’s total leased fleet adds up to 725,000 vehicles throughout the world (December 2014). Within BNP Paribas, Arval belongs to the Retail Banking core activity.

Berlin, – (NYSE:GE) – GE Transportation in collaboration with Intel Corp., introduced a “superbrain” platform solution for locomotives that transforms them into mobile data headquarters – helping make trains smarter and faster. The best-in-class embedded solution, unveiled today at InnoTrans 2016, improve operations, fuel efficiency, horsepower and emissions, and enhance a locomotive’s tractive effort.
The GoLINC™ system – network, communication and application management platform capable of turning any locomotive into a mobile data center – features the 6th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor.

GoLINC interfaces with both on-board and off-board GE and third-party systems to create a powerful Predix™-edge-enabled device. It’s the brain of the train on more than 6,000 locomotives today. The new offering will allow for better data management and video analytics on the locomotive, and enables the creation and deployment of future technologies into the GoLINC platform.

“Our partnership delivers the most advanced connectivity across the rail industry to create a smarter rail ecosystem,” says GE Transportation President and CEO Jamie Miller. “It enables operators to transfer data, host applications and interface with third-party systems, and can boost operational productivity.”

“This platform enhancement to the GoLINC mobile data center saves time and lowers costs by reducing the amount of data transferred over cellular connections, and will enable the rail industry to perform at its best,” says Val Stoyanov, Intel’s GM, Global Transportation. “We look forward to continued collaboration with GE Transportation.”

The Intel collaboration is one of several announcements GE Transportation is making at the biennial InnoTrans international trade fair. The announcements build on the vision of a digitally connected rail ecosystem GE Transportation spotlighted in 2014 when it introduced its integrated suite of software solutions, powered by the Rail Operating System.

With a deep understanding of the rail industry challenges its customers face, GE Transportation committed to increasing and enhancing its connected suite of capabilities to help customers extend locomotive life, lower fuel consumption, decrease emissions, increase velocity and improve operating ratios.

To learn more, visit www.getransportation.com/innotrans2016, or meet GE Transportation in Hall 6.2 501 at InnoTrans. InnoTrans 2016, the leading international trade fair for transport technology, continues through Friday in Berlin.

About GE Transportation
At GE Transportation, we are in the business of realizing potential. We are a global technology leader and supplier of equipment, services and solutions to the rail, mining, marine, stationary power and drilling industries. Our innovations help customers deliver goods and services with greater speed and savings using our advanced manufacturing techniques and connected machines. Our digital solutions, which provide data-driven insights to improve efficiency, utilize Predix – GE’s cloud-based operating system for the Industrial Internet. Established more than a century ago, GE Transportation is a division of the General Electric Company that began as a pioneer in passenger and freight locomotives. That innovative spirit still drives GE Transportation today and is strengthened by our ability to serve customers more holistically through the GE Store – a global exchange of knowledge, technology and tools across all GE businesses that ultimately provides better outcomes for customers. GE Transportation is headquartered in Chicago, IL, and employs approximately 10,000 employees worldwide.

SAN FRANCISCO – General Motors and Lyft today announced a long-term strategic alliance to create an integrated network of on-demand autonomous vehicles in the U.S.

GM will invest $500 million in Lyft to help the company continue the rapid growth of its successful ridesharing service. In addition, GM will hold a seat on the company’s board of directors.

“We see the future of personal mobility as connected, seamless and autonomous,” said GM President Dan Ammann. “With GM and Lyft working together, we believe we can successfully implement this vision more rapidly.”

John Zimmer, president and co-founder of Lyft, said: “Working with GM, Lyft will continue to unlock new transportation experiences that bring positive change to our daily lives. Together we will build a better future by redefining traditional car ownership.”

Key elements of the GM and Lyft alliance include:

Autonomous On-Demand Network: The joint development of a network of on-demand autonomous vehicles will leverage GM’s deep knowledge of autonomous technology and Lyft’s capabilities in providing a broad choice of ride-sharing services.
Rental Hub: Beginning immediately, GM will become a preferred provider of short-term use vehicles to Lyft drivers through rental hubs in various cities in the U.S.

Connectivity: Lyft drivers and customers will have access to GM’s wide portfolio of cars and OnStar services, leveraging two decades of experience in connectivity. This will create a richer ride-sharing experience for both driver and passenger.
Joint Mobility Offerings: GM and Lyft will also provide each other’s customers with personalized mobility services and experiences through their respective channels.

About General Motors
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world’s largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

About Lyft
Lyft was founded in June 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to reconnect people and communities through better transportation. Lyft is the fastest growing rideshare company in the U.S and is available in more than 190 cities. Lyft is preferred by drivers and passengers for its safe and friendly experience, and its commitment to driving positive change for the future of our cities.

DETROIT and LISLE, Ill., – General Motors Co. and Navistar have reached a long-term agreement to develop and assemble future medium-duty, conventional cab Class 4/5 commercial vehicles, allowing Navistar to strengthen its product lineup and GM to expand its Chevrolet commercial truck portfolio.

“Bringing medium-duty conventional cab trucks back into the portfolio strengthens Chevrolet’s commitment to providing commercial customers with more choices and one-stop shopping for a versatile lineup of trucks, vans and crossovers,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president of GM Fleet and Commercial Sales.

The future products will be jointly developed using Navistar’s expertise in rolling chassis configurations and manufacturing capabilities, and GM’s commercial components and engines. The vehicles are slated for production in 2018 and will be manufactured at Navistar’s facility in Springfield, Ohio. Navistar plans to add 300 jobs and invest more than $12 million in facility upgrades and state-of-the-art equipment to produce the new vehicles.

“Our collaboration with GM is another example of our customer-centric, open integration approach—providing our customers with the best technologies available,” said Bill Kozek, president, Truck and Parts, Navistar. “By working with an industry-leading company like GM, we’ll be able to enhance our medium-duty product portfolio and leverage our scale and expertise in manufacturing medium-duty trucks.”

Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Additional product information will be announced later.

About Navistar
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial and military trucks, proprietary diesel engines, and IC Bus™ brand school and commercial buses. An affiliate also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com.

About General Motors
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world’s largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com

SOURCE Navistar International Corporation

NEW YORK – Running an errand to a big box store or planning a weekend excursion are about to get easier for some Manhattan residents because of a car-sharing program revealed today by General Motors. It’s the company’s latest move to deliver urban mobility options to customers around the globe.

Let’s Drive NYC is available to eligible residents of The Ritz Plaza, a 479-unit luxury apartment building at Times Square in midtown Manhattan, owned and managed by Stonehenge Partners.

Residents use a GM-developed mobile app to reserve a vehicle and access parking in one of 200 garages throughout Manhattan managed by Icon Parking Systems. The fleet currently includes eight Chevrolet Trax small SUVs and two Chevrolet Equinox compact SUVs, with more vehicles to be added later.

In consideration of periodic apartment lease payments, residents receive electronic credits valid for three hours of rental per month. After that, users pay less than $10 an hour or up to $75 for a 24-hour reservation.

“Having a car in the city didn’t seem realistic, but ‘Let’s Drive NYC’ changes that,” said Andy Chediak, a 32 year-old Stonehenge resident. “The quick-and-easy access to a car on demand at The Ritz Plaza is a game-changer that fundamentally alters my approach to transportation, with new opportunities that weren’t previously practical.”

Unlike other mobility service offerings, Let’s Drive NYC leverages integrated and existing OnStar connectivity technologies and services such as remote diagnostic status, and access to OnStar advisors with the push of a button.

“Customers want options on how to move from Point A to Point B that provide flexibility and personalization,” said GM President Dan Ammann. “Let’s Drive NYC is just one part of GM’s global urban mobility strategy. We view evolving consumer preferences, such as car-sharing, as real business opportunities, where we can quickly build on our existing capabilities such as OnStar connectivity to very effectively meet customer needs.”

GM offered the program earlier this summer to select Ritz Plaza residents who completed more than 100 trips and drove nearly 20,000 miles in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut tri-state area. Based on the pilot program, GM, Stonehenge and Icon were quick to broaden the program.

“When GM approached us with their car-sharing program, we were excited to incorporate this innovative service to further enhance our residents’ lifestyle,” said Ofer Yardeni, chairman and CEO of Stonehenge. “Owning a vehicle in New York City is expensive and inconvenient. GM’s Let’s Drive NYC car-sharing program delivers a valuable and sought-after amenity, and residents of The Ritz Plaza are taking full advantage of it.”

Stonehenge is a leader in community-building events within the Manhattan residential market. It provides residents with complimentary programming ranging from comedy and trivia nights to concerts. Incorporating Let’s Drive NYC helps achieve Stonehenge’s goal of offering amenities that encourage interaction among residents.

GM’s urban mobility programs range from investments in Germany of ridesharing service flinc and Opel’s new car-sharing community CarUnity to testing Zagster bike sharing at its Technical Center in the U.S. and a partnership with Jiao Tong University in China to integrate Chevrolet EN-V 2.0 vehicles into a multi-modal transportation system. All are designed to better understand and address urban transportation issues for customers.

One of GM’s first mobility partnerships was with Google early last year, where it tested a commuter ride-sharing service using Chevrolet Spark EVs. Using an app, drivers and riders were matched based on trip patterns and schedules. The project demonstrated value and potential in creating transportation services around automotive, leading to other initiatives, like the Let’s Drive NYC program.

About Stonehenge Partners
Stonehenge Partners is a vertically integrated, private real estate company with expertise in investment management, property management, development, design, construction and leasing. Stonehenge owns and manages a Manhattan portfolio currently valued at $3.1 billion comprised of 25 income-producing properties with more than 3,000 residential apartment units. Stonehenge is recognized for its above-and-beyond customer service platform and five-star lifestyle programming. More information can be found at www.stonehengenyc.com.

DALLAS, Dec. 20, 2021 — Greyhound, the largest provider of intercity bus transportation in North America, is providing vital transportation this holiday season with its long-standing ‘Home Free’ program, helping runaway, homeless, and exploited youth between the ages of 12 and 21 reunite with their families (or legal guardians) through a free bus ticket home or to a stable and safe place. 2021 marks the 34th consecutive year Greyhound has provided the free program, demonstrating its commitment to serve communities nationwide.

“Every year, through our Home Free program, we help young people in need receive a free ride home,” said Dave Leach, President and Chief Executive Officer, Greyhound Lines, Inc. “I am both humbled and thrilled to be a part of the Greyhound team committed to providing young people the chance to reconnect with their families and return to a safe environment. It is our hope that the resources we provide runaway youth will bring comfort to those looking to safely reunite with their families.”

To extend the program and provide this service on a greater scale, Greyhound has partnered with the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) since 1995. NRS, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is an organization that helps keep runaway and homeless youth safe.

According to the Voices of Youth Count from researchers at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, nearly 4.2 million youth experience some form of homelessness each year in America, leaving them at risk for exploitation, assault, illness and suicide. Home Free is designed to help make sure runaway young people between the ages of 12 and 21 have a ticket to get back home to their families or safe legal guardians.

In 2020, nearly 325 free bus tickets were provided to young people looking to be reconnected with their families. So far in 2021, Greyhound and the NRS have provided more than 230 free bus tickets, valued at nearly $42,000.

“The Home Free partnership between Greyhound and NRS continues to have a positive impact in providing a vital resource in helping address and resolve the growing number of homeless and exploited young people,” said Susan Frankel, Chief Executive Officer, National Runaway Safeline. “We are honored to be able to continue our partnership with Greyhound Lines and look forward to serving as their charitable partner for the Home Free program for many more years.”

If you or someone you know has run away or is experiencing homelessness and wants to return home or needs help, call toll-free 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or visit www.1800RUNAWAY.org. Click here to learn more about the program.

About Greyhound
Greyhound is the largest North American provider of intercity bus transportation, serving more than 1,700 destinations across the continent. The company also provides Greyhound Package Express and charter services. For fare and schedule information and to buy tickets call 1-800-231-2222 or visit the website at Greyhound.com. For the latest news and travel deals, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.

About The National Runaway Safeline (NRS)
The National Runaway Safeline (NRS) is a national non-profit organization committed to ensuring that runaway, homeless and at-risk youth are safe and off the streets. Founded in 1971, NRS operates a national crisis services and support system for youth and families throughout the U.S., providing critical crisis intervention 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Each year, NRS makes hundreds of thousands of connections to help and hope through hotline (1-800-RUNAWAY), and online (1800RUNAWAY.org) and prevention services.

For additional information, visit www.1800RUNAWAY.org or follow us @1800RUNAWAY on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

SOURCE Greyhound Lines, Inc.

CONTACT: Crystal Booker, Phone: 214-849-6826, Email: news.media@greyhound.com

(WASHINGTON)—The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) is forecasting that beyond a modest increase in construction costs nationwide, the overall U.S. transportation infrastructure construction market will grow five percent from $129 billion this year to $135.8 billion in 2014.

ARTBA Chief Economist Dr. Alison Premo Black said the market would be led by expected double-digit growth in airport runway and terminal work, a six percent increase in bridge and tunnel construction, and five percent, or better, growth in total investment in waterways and ports, and heavy and light rail.

Uncertainty about the level of federal support for state highway programs after next September, however, will continue to depress the road pavement market next year.

Black forecasts the pavement market will grow to $54.4 billion in 2014, up 2.6 percent nationally. This includes $42.7 billion in public and private investment in highways, roads and streets, and $11.6 billion in largely private investments in parking lots, driveways and related structures. The market, however, will be uneven nationwide, she says. ARTBA forecasts paving work to be up in 19 states, down in 20, and largely flat in the remaining 11.

“Over the past 10 years, on average nationally, federal funding has provided 52 percent of the money invested by state transportation departments in road and bridge capital improvement projects,” Black said, noting, “The federal share ranges from 35 percent in New Jersey to over 70 percent in 11 states.”

“Absent congressional action to improve the revenue stream into the federal Highway Trust Fund before next October, federal support for state programs faces a potential $40 billion cut in fiscal year 2015,” she said. “That uncertainty is already putting a damper on state project lettings. Congress needs to act.”

“If the federal program can be at least stabilized, the longer term outlook for pavements could be much more positive,” Black says. “Bipartisan political support for significantly increased transportation investment has been seen in a number of bell-weather states this year, including Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland and Massachusetts. Wyoming and Vermont passed gas tax increases for expanded investment. Eighty-five percent of the 2014 transportation investment ballot initiatives passed. And the public-private investment market is picking up with the expansion of the federal loan guarantee program.”

ARTBA’s 2014 forecast for other transportation modes:

Bridges & Tunnels—Bridge and tunnel construction is expected to grow from $28.5 billion in 2013 to a record-level $30.1 billion next year. ARTBA says large projects in 10 states—California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Kentucky, Virginia and Washington—will account for about half of U.S. market activity in this sector.

Ports & Waterways—The port and waterway construction market, which has grown by a third since 2011 in anticipation of increased sea trade through the Panama Canal starting in 2015, is expected to grow another $100 million, to $3.0 billion next year. The top market states will be: California, Florida Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

Airport Runways & Terminals—The total value of airport runway and terminal construction is expected to increase 17 percent to $14.7 billion in 2014, ARTBA forecasts. Market-driving states will include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington.

Light Rail, Subways & Railroads—The domestic light rail, subway and railroad construction markets will continue to see growth in 2014. Subway and light rail work will grow five percent to $7.9 billion from $7.5 billion. Heavy rail investment, largely by Class 1 freight railroads, will increase eight percent to $12.6 billion this year from $11.6 billion. Increase in demand to transport goods, including shale and crude oil, as well as multi-modal improvements for better port-rail connections, are driving higher levels of railroad investment. Based on recent state and local government contract awards, these states will be moving forward on key projects: California, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington.

The ARTBA forecast is based on a proprietary econometric model and analysis of federal, state and local data and market intelligence.

This Press Release is courtesy of The American Road & Transportation Builders Association

New data from the second annual The UPS Store® “Inside Small Business Survey” reveals that the entrepreneurial spirit remains strong. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of Americans dream of opening a small business, almost identical to the 2018 survey (66 percent). What’s more is that the survey found that age is no indicator of entrepreneurial dreams: 54 percent of Americans say that they would rather open a small business than retire, if money or health were not a factor later in life. Dr. Luke Pittaway, Ohio University College of Business O’Bleness Professor of Entrepreneurship, says this could be attributed to people living longer, healthier lives.

“People are living longer and remain healthier as they come up to retirement age, and many are choosing to start a small business as a way to stay active. In fact, the proportion of people starting businesses in the age range of 55 to 65 has increased in recent years, and at one point even surpassed the typical entrepreneur age group of 25 to 35-year-olds,” Pittaway said. “Older people tend to bring more financial wealth, experience and personal networks to their start-up efforts and therefore have the potential to be very competent entrepreneurs.”

The survey also revealed that there is considerable encouragement for entrepreneurialism from one generation to the next, with 62 percent of survey respondents saying they have hoped their child or a child they know would grow up and start their own business. Among survey respondents who are also small business owners, this jumped to 81 percent.

“The high percentage of respondents who want small business ownership for future generations is fascinating and demonstrates the high regard that Americans hold for entrepreneurial activity,” Pittaway said.

What Fuels the Dream: Freedom, Pride and Community Support

The idea of “being your own boss” continues to excite Americans the most about owning a small business (57 percent), compared to 53 percent who said the same last year. Most respondents (54 percent) also believe that the prospect of succeeding and taking pride in what they build excites them, compared to 47 percent in the 2018 survey.

In addition, community support for small business is strong. The survey revealed that 70 percent of Americans make plans to support a small business when it opens in their community. Among respondents that are also small business owners, that increases to 83 percent. According to the survey, convenience (46 percent) and the quality of goods and services (45 percent) are the top factors in determining whether respondents would rather shop at a small business than a bigger store.

“At The UPS Store, Inc., we recognize that U.S. small business owners are some of the hardest-working, most passionate people around,” said Tim Davis, president of The UPS Store, Inc. “This survey reveals that the majority of small business owners, like our franchisee network, really want to help new business owners in their communities succeed. And with 4,800 locations across the U.S., The UPS Store network is ready to help every step of the way.”

How’s the Economy? It Depends on Who You Ask

The survey showed that small business owners are much more optimistic about the economy compared to the general population. In fact, 72 percent of small business owners believe the current economy is a positive factor for the small business climate, compared to just 42 percent of non-small business owners.

The Biggest Obstacle: Fear

For the second year in a row, fear seems to be the biggest obstacle to pursuing a small business. Americans continue to identify their own financial security (40 percent), financial commitment to operate the business (35 percent) and fear of failure (35 percent) as the major barriers to starting a small business. This is slightly improved from the 2018 survey at 45 percent, 39 percent and 37 percent, respectively. In addition, survey participants say the top expenses that would worry them if they owned a small business are basic operating costs such as utilities (54 percent) and supplies and equipment (50 percent). Almost a quarter of respondents say shipping expenses would worry them if they had a small business.

Bring on the Technology

Interestingly, one thing survey respondents do not fear is technology. A new insight from this year’s survey reveals that Americans are optimistic about the use of technology in small business. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of respondents believe artificial intelligence, such as autonomous machines and 24/7 automated customer support, will be helpful for small businesses competing in the future. And more than two-thirds (69 percent) of Americans believe automation is beneficial for small businesses.

“Surprisingly, Americans are far from fearing automation and artificial intelligence when used in small business settings,” said Pittaway. “They see technology as a helping hand, providing tools and apps that make their day-to-day activities more efficient and seamless.”

Current small business owners feel even stronger about the positive impact of technology. Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of small business owners surveyed believe artificial intelligence will be helpful for small businesses competing in the future, and 78 percent think automation is beneficial to their own business.

The UPS Store Supports Small Business

To support small businesses across the country, The UPS Store, Inc. invites entrepreneurs and small business owners to enter the Small Biz Challenge, a national competition to find the most quick-witted, well-rounded small business owners who can handle anything that comes their way. The contest will culminate in two live business challenge events in New York City and Los Angeles featuring entrepreneurs vying for a chance to win a grand prize of up to $25,000 to help grow their business.

For more information about how to enter The UPS Store® Small Biz Challenge, visit www.theupsstore.com/smallbizchallenge.

For the full Inside Small Business Survey results, visit www.theupsstore.com/insidesmallbusiness.

Survey Methodology: The UPS Store, Inc. commissioned Atomik Research to run a general population online survey of 5,009 adults in the United States. The margin of error fell within +/- 1 percentage point with a confidence interval of 95 percent. The fieldwork took place between March 14 and 20, 2019. Atomik Research is an independent creative market research agency.

RULES & REGULATIONS:

No purchase necessary. Open only to individuals (U.S. residents, 18 or older) who own and operate an independent (non-franchised) small business (50 or fewer employees) in the U.S. Entries must be received by 11:59pm ET 5/12/19. Up to six (6) finalists selected to compete in business challenge event. Finalists must be able to attend business challenge event. Cash prizes awarded to finalists based on score in each business challenge (up to $25,000 in total prizes for each event).

Visit inc.com/theupsstore/rules for complete official rules, including eligibility and judging criteria. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by The UPS Store, Inc., 6060 Cornerstone Court West San Diego, CA 92121 and Mansueto Ventures LLC, d.b.a Inc. Magazine, 250 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007.

About The UPS Store

With approximately 4,800 locations across the U.S., The UPS Store® network comprises the nation’s largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers. The UPS Store locations in the U.S. are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of The UPS Store, Inc., a subsidiary of UPS (NYSE: UPS). Services, products, pricing and hours of operation may vary by location. For additional information on The UPS Store, visit theupsstore.com.

In 2019, The UPS Store ranked #5 overall in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 and #1 in the Postal & Business Centers category for the 29th consecutive year. For information on franchise opportunities for opening a The UPS Store location, visit https://www.theupsstorefranchise.com/. Follow The UPS Store on Twitter at @TheUPSStore and like The UPS Store on Facebook at facebook.com/theupsstore.

LONDON, – The Hertz Corporation (NYSE:HTZ), the world’s leading general use car rental brand, has recently signed a new agreement with its franchise partner Ryan’s Investments, which has been operating Hertz in Ireland since 1991. The new partnership agreement extends the alliance until 2024 and now also includes Hertz’s value brands Dollar Rent a Car and Thrifty Car Rental.

Michel Taride, Group President, Hertz International, commented: “Ryan’s Investment’s strength in the local transport sector presents a significant growth potential for our Dollar and Thrifty brands in Ireland. Hertz’s value brands offer local residents and visitors excellent service, top-quality vehicles and a budget-friendly way to explore the sights. The renewed and extended agreement with our highly valued partner Ryan’s Investments was the natural next step in our fruitful and longstanding alliance.”

Sean Boland, Managing Director, Hertz Ireland and Company Director, Ryan’s Investments, added: “As part of the Hertz family for the past 23 years we share the company’s vision for growth and the commitment to deliver quality service to our customers. We are delighted to operate Dollar and Thrifty brands across Ireland and to grow these brands to reach their true potential. We truly believe that the renewal of our partnership agreement with Hertz and the addition of Dollar and Thrifty to the alliance will be an exciting and rewarding journey for customers and employees.”
From the beginning of the partnership between Hertz and Ryan’s Investments, the Hertz Ireland business has grown to be the number one car rental brand on the island. Hertz Ireland has been recognized with a multitude of service excellence awards over the years, including being an unprecedented 19 year winner of the Irish Travel Trade publication’s “Best Car Rental Company” honour.

With the largest market share in all segments and presence in all major airports including prime downtown locations in Dublin and Cork, Hertz offers the largest and most diverse fleet in the country including the Fun and Prestige Collections and a wide range of vans. Fully integrated in Hertz’s global Gold Plus Rewards Scheme, Hertz Ireland was the first Hertz European franchise country to offer the programme’s full benefits pack, currently featured at all its Dublin and Belfast locations as well as at Shannon and Cork airports.

Dollar and Thrifty locations in Ireland are located in key tourist destinations – including Dublin, Cork, Knock, Kerry and Shannon airport – in line with Hertz’s long-term leisure growth strategy for the Dollar and Thrifty businesses. Hertz’s customers have now further access to a full range of rental options through the company’s strong premium and value brands, making their reservations online by visiting www.dollar.ie and www.thrifty.ie.

Following the European expansion of the Dollar and Thrifty brands, there are now 143 corporate locations operating across the continent, in addition to 195 franchisee and licensee locations.
Hertz’s well-established Dollar and Thrifty brands serve value-oriented leisure customers, including domestic and foreign tourists, small businesses and government travelers in over 1,400 corporate franchisee and licensee locations in approximately 75 countries. The addition of Dollar and Thrifty to Hertz’s family of brands in 2012 provides Hertz with multiple strategic options to address both corporate and leisure business in all three tiers of the car rental market.

About Hertz
The Hertz Corporation (www.hertz.com) operates its car rental business through the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly brands from approximately 10,400 corporate, licensee and franchisee locations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand. Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,800 corporate and licensee locations in 150 countries. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 111 major airports in Europe. Dollar and Thrifty have approximately 1,400 corporate and franchisee locations in 75 countries.

Hertz is in its 96th year of delivering quality car rental solutions to leisure and corporate customers. Product and service innovations such as Gold Plus Rewards, Worldwide Online Check-in, Carfirmations, Mobile Wi-Fi, NeverLost® satellite navigation systems, and unique cars offered through the company’s Dream, Green, Family, Fun/Adrenaline and Prestige Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition.

This Press Release is courtesy of www.hertz.com

PARK RIDGE, N.J., — The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ), the world’s largest general use car rental brand, announces its participation in this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show. At the show, Hertz will be providing in booth demonstrations of its new web-based portal, HIRS for Repair Shops, and will once again be sponsoring the Society of Collision Repair Specialist’s (SCRS) Repairer Driven Education (RDE) Series and the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit.

“Hertz is committed to growing its network of neighborhood locations that service the collision repair industry,” said Hertz Senior Vice President, John Holt. “Our new HIRS web portal was developed to assist shops in managing their performance and to provide real time Hertz rental reporting. Hertz’s attendance at SEMA and our sponsorship of SCRS’ RDE educational series will be instrumental in growing the Hertz business, especially in the insurance replacement market, while educating attendees on the products and services Hertz offers to provide customers with the fastest and easiest car rental experience in the industry.”

HIRS for Repair Shops, developed in conjunction with Information Builders, is a web based tool that assists shops in managing their key performance indicators and provides real time rental reporting. The tool will help repair shops reduce in-coming phone calls, give real time access to customizable reporting and manage Hertz rentals all in one place. Set to launch in the first quarter of 2015, shops can demo the product and sign up for service during SEMA at Hertz Booth #11381.

Held throughout the duration of SEMA, SCRS’ RDE educational series presents attendees with a variety of programs that address the issues faced in today’s collision repair businesses. The education program is presented each day of the SEMA Show, and features some of the industry’s most respected subject matter experts.

“The industry is focused right now on finding ways to maintain pace with the rapid advancement of technology in today’s vehicles, and the need for collision repair business to find business models that financially support the growing demands to invest in training, equipment and resources necessary to perform proper repairs,” shared SCRS Executive Director, Aaron Schulenburg. “Having support and involvement from corporations like Hertz makes the development of these educational opportunities possible, as we collaborate to better our industry’s ability to serve the motoring public through enhanced access to information.”

SCRS’s 2014 lineup of education sessions boasts more than 20 new sessions and a dozen new speakers to its educational platform. The OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit, being held on Wednesday, November 5, will allow the industry to explore ways in which auto design, technology and materials impact reparability; and in turn, how reparability influences structural design and development.
To see a full list and schedule of offerings in the Repairer Driven Education series and OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit, visit www.semashow.com/scrs.

Additional products and services Hertz will showcase while at SEMA, include:
Hertz Local Edition: Hertz’s network of neighborhood locations servicing the replacement, leisure and business customers and offering customers pickup and delivery service as well as ‘Key2Key’ service with cars conveniently located at auto body and collision repair shops, enabling customers to have access to a car while their car is in the shop.

Hertz Technology: Committed to providing customers speed, ease and value with technological innovations and personalized service, unique customer services include:
Carfirmation: A mobile email/SMS text service – Mobile Gold Alerts — that confirms a Gold customer’s reservation, advises of their car, and its location at the Hertz facility. Mobile Gold Alerts also shows other available cars and upgrades and lets customers select the one they want – all via their mobile device.
Choose Control: Hertz Gold Choice gives the customer the power to keep the car they reserved or simply choose another, something no other car rental brand offers.
Zap Technology: Hertz e-Return is the fastest way to get customers, when they return, back on their way home. Hertz will email the customer’s receipt in a flash.
Acceler-Rental: Hertz is the first rental company to offer airport and neighborhood location customers the ability to rent cars through a live face-to-face video kiosk with Hertz ExpressRent™ kiosks.
Mobile Apps: As consumers are looking to mobile technologies as a way to take back control of their travel experience, from on-the-go bookings to instant upgrades.
Hertz Mobile App: Book, modify and search car rental reservations, find locations, and browse special deals and offers all from the palm of your hand.
Hertz NeverLost My Explore App: Users can plan their itinerary and navigate popular cities all on their smart phone and import it into a calendar or to the award-winning Hertz NeverLost® GPS.
Hertz 24/7 Mobile App: Customers have 24/7 access to a variety of vehicles when and where they need them with the ability to reserve a car or modify an existing reservation and view upcoming and previous reservations.
For more information visit Hertz online at www.hertz.com or, during SEMA, visit Booth #11381 to meet with a Hertz representative.

About SCRS’ RDE Series
REPAIRER DRIVEN EDUCATION (RDE) series will feature 4 days of seminar offerings, many of which are uniquely designed and being offered only at the 2014 SEMA Show. Each of the courses has been individually selected or crafted by SCRS because the content specifically focuses on information that is relevant to the diverse array of marketplace perspectives within the collision repair industry. Register at www.semashow.com/scrs or contact Customer Service at (866) 229-3687.
About SCRS
Through its direct members and 44 affiliate associations, SCRS is comprised of 6,000 collision repair businesses and 58,500 specialized professionals who work with consumers and insurance companies to repair collision-damaged vehicles. Additional information about SCRS including other news releases is available at the SCRS website: www.scrs.com. You can e-mail SCRS at the following address: info@scrs.com.

About Information Builders
Information Builders helps organizations transform data into business value. Software solutions for business intelligence and analytics, integration, and data integrity empower people to make smarter decisions, strengthen customer relationships, and drive growth. Dedicated to customer success is unmatched in the industry, tens of thousands of leading organizations rely on Information Builders to be their trusted partner. Founded in 1975, Information Builders is headquartered in New York, NY, with offices around the world, and remains one of the largest independent, privately held companies in the industry. For more information, visit www.informationbuilders.com.

About Hertz
The Hertz Corporation operates the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly car rental brands in approximately more than 11,500 corporate and licensee locations throughout 145 countries in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand. Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand with more than 1,400 airport locations in the U.S. and a presence at more than 250 international airports. Product and service initiatives such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, NeverLost®, Carfirmations, Mobile Wi-Fi and unique vehicles offered through the Adrenaline, Dream, Family, Fun, Green and Prestige Collections set Hertz apart from the competition. Additionally, Hertz owns the vehicle leasing and fleet management leader Donlen Corporation, operates the Hertz 24/7 hourly car rental business and sells vehicles through its Rent2Buy program. The company also owns Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation (HERC), one of the largest equipment rental businesses with more than 340 locations worldwide offering a diverse line of equipment and tools for rent and sale. HERC primarily serves the construction, industrial, oil, gas, entertainment and government sectors. For more information about Hertz, visit: www.hertz.com.

ESTERO, Fla., Oct. 25, 2021 — As consumer interest in electric vehicles (EV) skyrockets, Hertz today is announcing a significant investment to offer the largest EV rental fleet in North America and one of the largest in the world. This includes an initial order of 100,000 Teslas by the end of 2022 and new EV charging infrastructure across the company’s global operations.

In addition, Hertz is teaming up with seven-time Super Bowl champion and entrepreneur Tom Brady to showcase how it is making EV rentals fast, seamless and more accessible, as the company accelerates its commitment to lead the future of mobility and travel.

“Electric vehicles are now mainstream, and we’ve only just begun to see rising global demand and interest,” said Hertz interim CEO Mark Fields. “The new Hertz is going to lead the way as a mobility company, starting with the largest EV rental fleet in North America and a commitment to grow our EV fleet and provide the best rental and recharging experience for leisure and business customers around the world.”

Today, 40 percent of U.S. consumers say they are likely to consider an electric vehicle the next time they are in the market for a new vehicle, according to Pew. Global EV sales skyrocketed 200 percent in the last year and will likely continue to grow with commitments from global automakers to increase EV sales. For example, in August, three U.S. automakers pledged to boost EV sales to 40-50 percent by 2030.

The growth is powered by electric vehicles’ high efficiency, positive user experience and climate change benefits – coupled with battery breakthroughs and rapidly expanding charging networks. EV drivers also benefit from lower maintenance and fuel costs.

Beginning in early November and expanding through year end, customers will be able to rent a Tesla Model 3 at Hertz airport and neighborhood locations in U.S. major markets and select cities in Europe. To learn more, visit hertz.com/ev.

Hertz also is installing thousands of chargers throughout its location network. Customers who rent a Tesla Model 3 will have access to 3,000 Tesla supercharging stations throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Hertz will offer a premium and differentiated rental experience for the Tesla EVs. This includes digitized guidance to educate customers about the electric vehicle to get them on their way quickly, and coming soon, an expedited EV rental booking process through the Hertz mobile app.

With the current order, EVs will comprise more than 20 percent of Hertz global fleet and is expected to be supported by a combination of Level 2 and DC fast charging in approximately 65 markets by the end of 2022 and more than 100 markets by the end of 2023. Hertz said these ambitions could be affected by factors outside of Hertz’s control, such as semiconductor chip shortages or other constraints.

“Hertz, Let’s Go!” with Tom Brady

To spread the word about its leadership on EV rentals, Hertz is partnering with seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady for a new “Hertz, Let’s Go!” campaign.

Two new ads – “Plugged In” and “Speed” – beginning today show Brady renting, recharging and using an EV at a Hertz airport location. The spots use humor and Brady’s signature “Let’s Go” game-day rallying cry to underscore Hertz’s reputation for excellence, speed and ease throughout the travel experience.

“Hertz is changing the game when it comes to the future of mobility and has come through for me time and time again,” said Tom Brady. “Although the company has been around for over 100 years, their constant evolution, especially now, is something that is amazing to be a part of. I’ve been driving an EV for years and knowing Hertz is leading the way with their electric fleet speaks to how the world is changing and the way companies are approaching being environmentally and socially conscious. I’ve always loved how easy and convenient Hertz makes it for me when I’m traveling to my favorite places like New York, LA and Tampa and can’t wait to see what they continue to have in store.”

The New Hertz
Hertz is combining its brand strength and global fleet management expertise with new technology and innovations to chart a dynamic, new course for travel, mobility and the auto industry. The company’s commitment to becoming an essential component of the modern mobility ecosystem includes Hertz leading in electrification, shared mobility and a digital-first customer experience.

Today’s investment in electric vehicles builds on Hertz’s pioneering work in its rental operations during the past decade. Hertz was the first U.S. car rental company to introduce EVs to its rental fleet in 2011 and the first to implement a wireless charging system for electric vehicles. The company also is the exclusive rental car member of the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance, a consortium of companies focused on accelerating the transition to electric vehicles.

About Hertz
The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc., operates the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty vehicle rental brands throughout North America, Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The Hertz Corporation is one of the largest worldwide vehicle rental companies, and the Hertz brand is one of the most recognized globally. Additionally, The Hertz Corporation operates the Firefly vehicle rental brand and Hertz 24/7 car sharing business in international markets and sells vehicles through Hertz Car Sales. For more information about The Hertz Corporation, visit www.hertz.com.

LONDON, — With the eagerly awaited holidays just around the corner, Hertz, the world’s leading general use car rental brand, today reveals a scientific formula for the perfect summer road trip. Taking in factors including the number of passengers, destination, and a car’s level of comfort, Dr David Holmes, Leading UK Psychologist and author, has devised the equation to help travellers plan the most enjoyable drive.

According to a national survey conducted by Hertz, 63% of UK population say they choose road trips to enjoy a sense of freedom and adventure. Hertz Fun Collection has been designed for all adventurous types who seek great looks and comfort for their set of wheels.

Survey information used to develop the theory has revealed that 42% of the UK population are more likely than ever to take a holiday by car this year compared to previous years and nearly 46% would like to take to the road to explore new places in the UK. The most popular reasons for taking a road trip included: for a sense of freedom and adventure (63%), cheaper than other forms of transport (46%), being able to pack whatever is desired (34%), and the ability to be spontaneous while on route (28%). Of utmost importance is the comfort of the vehicle, with nearly 80% ranking this as the most vital car-related element of their trip.

Dr Holmes has used findings from the Hertz survey and his professional opinion to devise the model formula to enhance the fun and adventure that a road trip brings. The formula consists of a new experience or destination, involves between two and four passengers of an equal gender mix, a comfortable car, lasts four to six hours, and takes in three or four stops along the way.
According to Dr Holmes, drivers should ensure they have a mix of companions who can take turns behind the wheel so that the whole group can embark on a fun adventure full of discovery, contemplation, and comfort. He adds that unsurprisingly, bright, cheerful weather conditions will also help lend to a positive atmosphere within the car.

Hertz’s scientific formula for the perfect road trip holiday:
Perfect Road Trip Holiday = (A+TD+C) x (F+P) – (G+N+W)
H
(A) = Outgoing personality
(TD) = Proportion of trusted drivers
© = Car-comfort factor
(F) = Freedom factor
(P) = New places to visit
(G) = Gender mix
(N) = Number of travellers
(W) = Weather
(H) = Hours of travel

Dr Holmes said: “While this formula may not account for every eventuality, it should provide the basic guidelines to send you on the road to the perfect sunset. All work and no play will make us all dull boys and girls at any age. Road trips can provide an adult version of the psychological boost that a child gets by simply going out to play, and you may come back with new skills and enduring memories that a package holiday could never provide. Being active and making your own way will give you a psychological boost and you will be happier during and after the holiday.”

Michel Taride, Group President, Hertz International, said: “With the joy of driving back in vogue our Fun Collection of characterful cars is the perfect option for all adventurous types who seek great looks and comfort for their set of wheels. People are choosing to spend more time in the car as part of their holiday and we want to make that aspect even more fun. To provide a holiday hire car that is a little sportier, quirkier, and out of the ordinary, the Hertz Fun Collection includes a range of enjoyable, sparkly soft tops such as the Fiat 500 Cabrio or Citroen DS3 Cabrio; zippy, eye-catching models such as the Smart for Two Cab and VW Beetle; or for longer distances, the super stylish, but no less playful, Audi Q3 and Nissan Juke.”

The average UK resident is likely to travel 323 miles from home, on a journey lasting 5.9 hours and including 2.3 stops along the way. While UK drivers still enjoy the ‘tried and tested’ holiday destinations such as the seaside (52%), countryside (38%) and theme parks (28%), visits to well-known cities (25%) and places off the beaten path (22%) also proved of interest.

The survey also highlighted that the items more likely to be taken on a road trip are snacks (69%), music (61%), sun cream (31%) and a picnic (31%). Respondents admitted that the least likely items to pack include a travel pillow (14%) and audio books (8%).

For further information on how the Hertz Fun Collection can put the fun back into holiday driving visit www.hertz.co.uk
*Survey of 1,000 UK residents over the age of 18 conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Hertz, June 2014

About Hertz
Hertz operates its car rental business through the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly brands from approximately 11,555 corporate and licensee locations in about 145 countries in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand. Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 10,090 corporate and licensee locations in approximately 145 countries. Dollar and Thrifty have approximately 1,400 corporate and franchise locations in approximately 75 countries. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 130 major airports in Europe.

Product and service initiatives such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, NeverLost®, Carfirmations, Mobile Wi-Fi and unique vehicles offered through the company’s Adrenaline, Dream, Family, Fun, Green and Prestige Collections also set Hertz apart from the competition. Additionally, Hertz owns the vehicle leasing and fleet management leader Donlen Corporation, operates the Hertz 24/7 hourly car rental business and sells vehicles through its Rent2Buy program. The company also owns a leading North American equipment rental business, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, which includes Hertz Entertainment Services. More information about the company can be found at www.abouthertz.com.

About Dr David A Holmes
Dr Holmes is a leading UK Psychologist and familiar face on TV programmes around the world from news and documentaries to chat shows such as Richard and Judy. He is an author of a number of psychology books. His most recent is Abnormal Clinical & Forensic Psychology.

ESTERO, Fla. and SAN FRANCISCO, — Hertz and Uber (NYSE: UBER) today are accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. through a new exclusive partnership to make up to 50,000 Teslas available by 2023 for drivers to rent when using the Uber network.

This partnership is the largest expansion of electric vehicles on a mobility platform in North America and one of the largest globally, marking another step toward Uber’s zero-emissions goal. Starting Nov. 1, drivers can rent Teslas from Hertz through this program in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Washington, D.C. – with a nationwide expansion planned in the coming weeks.

Uber-Logo
For Hertz, the partnership is part of its commitment to lead the future of travel, mobility and the auto industry. This includes Hertz leading in electrification, shared mobility and a digital-first customer experience. On Monday, Hertz announced its most significant investment to offer the largest EV rental fleet in North America and one of the largest in the world. This includes an initial order of 100,000 Teslas by the end of 2022 and new EV charging infrastructure across Hertz’s global operations.

“Today’s partnership with Uber is another major step forward in Hertz becoming an essential component of the modern mobility ecosystem and executing on our commitment to being an environmentally forward company,” said Mark Fields, Hertz interim CEO. “We are creating the new Hertz and charting a dynamic, new course for the future of travel, mobility and the auto industry.”

“Climate change is an urgent global challenge we must all tackle together, and now is the time to drive a green recovery from the pandemic,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. “This combines the power of Tesla, Hertz and Uber to help accelerate the transition to zero-emissions mobility. We look forward to seeing more EVs on the road right away.”

For drivers looking to rent a Tesla, this is the best deal available in the market today. It offers drivers gas savings, higher earnings potential, access to the Tesla Supercharger network and Uber’s exclusive EVgo discounts, and other financial benefits through Uber’s Green Future program, which provides incentives – such as $1 more per trip up to $4,000 annually – for drivers to transition from gas-powered vehicles to EVs.

Globally, consumer interest in electric vehicles is skyrocketing because of environmental concern, convenience and reduced operating costs. Access to carpool lanes for solo-occupant vehicles – for both personal and ride-sharing vehicles – also is a major motivator.

Drivers are becoming increasingly interested in EVs. A recent survey of more than 6,000 internal combustion engine (ICE) drivers using the Uber app showed that 47 percent are interested in a battery EV as their next car.

Uber and Hertz have partnered since 2016 to provide drivers with vehicle rental options. With this partnership, Hertz will kick off the program by providing up to 50,000 vehicles by 2023 exclusively to drivers. If successful, the program could expand to 150,000 Teslas during the next three years. Hertz pointed out that these ambitions could be affected by factors outside of its control, such as semiconductor chip shortages or other constraints.

Participating drivers receive a preferred weekly rate for Hertz rentals, which includes insurance, basic maintenance and unlimited miles. The Hertz-Uber offering can also make it easier for drivers to source a vehicle, by eliminating the long-term commitments that buying or leasing a car often require.

Hertz has been an electric vehicle pioneer during the past decade. It was the first U.S. car rental company to introduce EVs to its rental fleet in 2011 and the first to implement a wireless charging system for electric vehicles. The company also is the exclusive rental car member of the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance, a consortium of companies focused on accelerating the transition to electric vehicles.

About Hertz
The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc., operates the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty vehicle rental brands throughout North America, Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The Hertz Corporation is one of the largest worldwide vehicle rental companies, and the Hertz brand is one of the most recognized globally. Additionally, The Hertz Corporation operates the Firefly vehicle rental brand and Hertz 24/7 car sharing business in international markets and sells vehicles through Hertz Car Sales. For more information about The Hertz Corporation, visit www.hertz.com.

About Uber
Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 25 billion trips later, we’re building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.

NAPLES, Fla.,- The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ) (“Hertz” or “the Company”) today announced that its board of directors has approved plans to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies. The two companies will be “Hertz,” comprised of the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly rental car businesses as well as Donlen, a provider of fleet leasing and management services, and “HERC,” the Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation. The separation is planned to be in the form of a tax-free spin-off to Hertz shareholders, and the Company has received a Private Letter Ruling from the Internal Revenue Service that allows Hertz to separate the businesses in a tax-efficient manner. Hertz expects the separation of HERC to close by early 2015.

Hertz will receive net cash proceeds from a HERC spin-off of approximately $2.5 billion that will be used to pay down Hertz debt and support a newly approved $1 billion share repurchase program. Under the new share repurchase program, the majority of the shares are likely to be purchased following the HERC separation, dependent on market conditions. The share repurchases could reach 20% of Hertz’s outstanding shares of common stock, which includes the $1 billion already approved. This new program replaces the $300 million share repurchase program that the Company announced in 2013, under which the Company has utilized approximately $87.5 million to repurchase Hertz shares.

Post separation, Hertz expects to maintain a target net corporate leverage ratio of between 2.5x to 3.5x net debt / EBITDA. Given Hertz’s new target net corporate leverage ratio, the Company may opportunistically look to return additional capital to shareholders on an ongoing basis, subject to market conditions and other factors.

“The actions announced today will create separate companies which we expect to benefit from improved financial profiles that include increased earnings stability and higher returns on capital,” said Mark P. Frissora, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Hertz Corporation. “Our rental car and equipment rental businesses are leaders in their respective markets with valuable assets and tremendous long-term potential. Through unbundling these undervalued assets, we unleash current and future shareholder value. In fact, we believe there is a potential for multiple expansion even if both businesses only trade in line with their peers. Additionally, the separation will help each business focus on its strategic and operational performance. With respect to capital allocation, our new leverage ratios may allow for incremental return of capital to our shareholders given the current credit environment.”

The Hertz board believes the planned separation of the equipment rental business from the car rental business would, among other things:
Create a stronger growth profile and more competitive position for each company with enhanced management focus, resources and processes that are more directly aligned with each business’s unique strategic priorities;
Optimize the companies’ capital structures based on the objectives of each independent company;
Allow each business to attract and retain personnel by offering equity-linked compensation; and
Create a more targeted investment opportunity with multiples and trading valuations that more accurately reflect the strengths and opportunities of each business.

Hertz Post Separation: A World Leading Rental Car Company
Following the separation, Hertz will remain a market leading rental car company with approximately 11,555 rental locations throughout North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand – the largest network in the world. The Company’s portfolio of brands includes Hertz, the number one airport and general use car rental brand in the world, as well as Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly, which reach other fast growing consumer segments within the leisure and value markets. Through Donlen, Hertz also offers fleet leasing and management services. The rental car and fleet leasing business had annual revenues of $9.23 billion in 2013.

Hertz will continue to focus on its key growth drivers following the separation. These include the integration of Dollar Thrifty, expanding its off-airport footprint and driving fleet efficiency, the introduction of new mobility services to meet consumer needs, building on its success with Donlen leasing, the roll-out of new rental technology, and its Lean / Six Sigma cost management programs.

The Company expects the separation of HERC to lead to an improved financial profile for Hertz, including less earnings volatility, higher returns on invested capital, and accelerated free cash flow growth. Hertz will target a corporate leverage ratio of 2.5x to 3.5x net debt / EBITDA. Post separation, the corporate leverage ratio is expected to be at the lower end of this range. This provides strength and flexibility across market cycles as well as a better ability to opportunistically return capital to shareholders. These financial strengths, together with the improved operating focus enabled by the separation and the continued operating and financial outperformance of the Hertz business, are expected to support a higher trading multiple for the new Hertz.

HERC Post Separation: A World Leading Equipment Rental Company
Following the separation, HERC will remain one of the largest and most diversified equipment rental businesses in the world with approximately 335 branches in the United States, Canada, France, Spain, China and Saudi Arabia, as well as through international franchisees. HERC, which has one of the youngest and most balanced fleets in the industry, rents a broad range of equipment, including aerial manlifts, air compressors and tools, earthmoving equipment and power generators, forklifts and material handling, pumps, and trucks and trailers. HERC also derives revenues from the sale of new and used equipment and consumables as well as through its Hertz Entertainment Services division, which rents lighting and related aerial products used primarily in the U.S. entertainment industry.

HERC had annual revenues of over $1.5 billion in 2013, with 38% of its 2013 revenues derived from the construction market, 26% from industrial, 36% from other markets including oil and gas, and from other specialty niche markets, such as pump and power, government services, and the entertainment industry.

Through investments in its fleet and 11 acquisitions and one joint venture since 2010, HERC has significantly expanded its product line, penetrated new end markets and broadened its geographic footprint, particularly within North America. As a separate company, with the resources devoted to its growth strategies, and management focus and compensation more closely aligned with the business, HERC will be better able to capitalize on these strengths and drive stronger operating and financial performance that is less impacted by market cyclicality.
As a standalone equipment rental company with a competitive operating profile, it is expected that HERC will be a leader among its peers. In addition to the expected strong growth in the business, a newly-public HERC will have an attractive currency to support its strategic initiatives in what remains a fragmented marketplace. At separation, it is expected that HERC will have a leverage ratio of 3.5x to 4.0x net debt / EBITDA. HERC will focus its capital allocation on fleet investment to drive growth, acquisitions and debt reduction.

Leadership
Following the HERC separation, Mark Frissora will continue to lead Hertz as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. HERC will determine and announce its board of directors and management positions as the separation plans are finalized.

About Hertz
Hertz operates its car rental business through the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly brands from approximately 11,555 corporate and licensee locations in approximately 145 countries in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand. Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 10,090 corporate and licensee locations in approximately 145 countries. Our Dollar and Thrifty brands have approximately 1,400 corporate and franchise locations in approximately 75 countries. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 130 major airports in Europe. Hertz is an inaugural member of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards Hall of Fame and was recently named, for the thirteenth time, by the magazine’s readers as the Best Car Rental Agency. Hertz was also voted the Best Overall Car Rental Company in Zagat’s 2013/14 U.S. Car Rental Survey, earning top honors in 14 additional categories, and the Company swept the global awards for Best Rewards Program and Best Overall Benefits from FlyerTalk.com. Product and service initiatives such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, NeverLost®, and unique vehicles offered through the Company’s Adrenaline, Prestige, Green Traveler, and Dream Car Collections, also set Hertz apart from the competition. Additionally, Hertz owns the vehicle leasing and fleet management leader Donlen Corporation and operates the Hertz 24/7TM hourly car rental business. The Company also owns a leading North American equipment rental business, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, which includes Hertz Entertainment Services.

Illinois’ transportation infrastructure will receive a $103.6 million boost from Union Pacific Railroad in 2018. The company’s planned private investment will enhance safety, operating efficiency and support customer service.

Union Pacific builds and maintains its track without taxpayer funds and its trains reduce traffic on Illinois’ congested highways. A single Union Pacific train can carry as many as 300 trucks and move one ton of freight 452 miles on a single gallon of diesel, generating a carbon footprint that is 75 percent less than trucks.

Union Pacific’s private investments sustain jobs and ensure the company meets growing demand for products used in the American economy. The company’s planned investment covers a range of initiatives, including $40.8 million to maintain railroad track and $23.5 million to maintain bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:

$10.7 million investment in the rail line between Watseka and Chicago Heights to replace 49 miles of rail.
$9.8 million investment in the rail line between Elburn and Beaver Island to replace more than 51,000 railroad ties.
This year’s planned $103.6 million capital expenditure in Illinois is part of the company’s ongoing investment strategy. In the last five years, 2013-2017, Union Pacific invested more than $497.3 million strengthening Illinois’ transportation infrastructure.

“Our targeted investments support customers and enhance our efficiency to deliver the goods American businesses and families use daily,” said Liisa Stark, Union Pacific assistant vice president – Public Affairs, Northern Region.

Union Pacific plans to spend $3.3 billion across its network this year, following investments totaling approximately $34 billion from 2008-2017.

ABOUT UNION PACIFIC
Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America’s most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. In the last 10 years, 2008-2017, Union Pacific invested approximately $34 billion in its network and operations to support America’s transportation infrastructure. The railroad’s diversified business mix is classified into its Agricultural Products, Energy, and Industrial and Premium business groups. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

LOUISVILLE, Ky., — Navistar, Inc. today addressed advancements in technology that help maximize vehicle uptime while offering customers more options and control. Technologies such as OnCommand™ Connection, Diamond Logic® and fully automatic and automated manual transmissions (AMTs) make vehicles more fuel efficient, safer, capable and more productive.

“We are thinking harder about the role of new technologies to help customers every day while delivering industry-leading vehicle uptime,” said Bill Kozek, president of North America Truck and Parts for Navistar. “We want to provide more value by offering diagnostics, multiplexing and service tools that are unmatched in the industry.”

Named by Heavy Duty Trucking magazine to its 2014 Top 20 Products list, the OnCommand Connection remote diagnostics system is designed to increase vehicle uptime and provide increased fleet management efficiency for North American truck customers by supporting quicker repairs and controlling maintenance and repair costs. The company is also testing a mobile OnCommand Connection website and app to make diagnostics and service tools accessible to fleet managers anywhere and anytime. OnCommand Connection currently supports more than 30,000 vehicles and offers fleet managers access to real-time fault codes, vehicle locations, nearby dealer locations and fault code actions plans within an online portal.

“We believe we are scratching the surface of the capabilities we offer the industry with OnCommand Connection,” Kozek said. “By integrating support services into OnCommand Connection that achieve more efficient repairs and maintenance, better lifecycle value and overall lower total cost of ownership, we provide our customers with increased visibility and control over their businesses.”

Navistar has also been a pioneer in custom programmable chassis electronics and multiplexing since 2001. The company has continued to closely partner with end users and body builders to further increase productivity. Diamond Logic helps vocational customers work smarter, faster and safer, while preventing operators from inadvertently damaging valuable equipment.

“Our Diamond Logic operating system is best known for its ability to provide control and communication between work trucks and body equipment,” Kozek said. “Diamond Logic addresses convenience and safety on behalf of our customers while automatic and automated manual transmissions work to reduce the variance between expert drivers and first-timers.”

By electronically monitoring vehicle speed, grade, weight and more to select the best gear for the engine, Navistar’s portfolio of automatic and automated manual transmissions improve efficiency and extend the life of the driveline. Navistar currently offers the Cummins Eaton Smart Advantage™ 10-speed automated manual transmission, the Eaton UltraShift® Plus LSE 16-speed direct drive automated mechanical transmission on the ProStar® and the Allison TC10, a 10-speed fully automatic transmission, on the ProStar and the TranStar®.

“Ultimately, we want our customers to have choices and also experience the highest level of uptime in the industry,” Kozek added. “The future is about converting unplanned downtime into scheduled maintenance and getting trucks back on the road where they are earning revenue.”

About Navistar
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial and military trucks, MaxxForce® brand diesel engines, and IC Bus™ brand school and commercial buses. An affiliate also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com.
Web site: www.navistar.com

We launched our Vehicle Solutions program 18 months ago in response to feedback from prospective driver-partners who wanted to join the Uber platform but didn’t have access to a qualifying uberX car. Since then, nearly 20,000 drivers have participated in the program and collectively taken home over $200 million dollars driving with Uber.

We’ve learned a lot –– about when and where people drive, details about their vehicle needs, and how we can connect partners with options that work best for them. There is a lot of variability in how drivers use Uber, from the reasons they drive to the amount of time they spend on the platform. But one thing is clear: the key to flexible earnings is flexible financing.

With this in mind, we have developed a new pilot program – Xchange Leasing – which is a leasing option administered by an Uber subsidiary and designed to fit with the flexibility that drivers value most. The Xchange lease is one of a kind, and offers value that traditional auto leases do not provide. Unlike most multi-year leases that have high fees for early termination, drivers who participate in Xchange for at least 30 days will be able to return the car with only two weeks notice, and limited additional costs. The program allows for unlimited mileage and the option to lease a used car, with routine maintenance also included. These features combine to create a product unlike anything on the market today.

Xchange Leasing is currently operating in major metropolitan areas in California (Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego) and select cities in Georgia and Maryland. We look forward to piloting the program in additional locations soon. Xchange Leasing complements additional options currently available within Uber’s Vehicle Solutions program, including:

Discounts from auto manufacturers: We’ve expanded our partnerships with auto manufacturers to help drivers save money on new vehicle purchases. Participating manufacturers include: Toyota, GM, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, VW, and Chrysler. To date, participating Uber driver-partners have saved over $7 million through these manufacturer discounts.
Streamlined financing partnerships: Drivers looking for a vehicle have access to financing available through Westlake Financial Services, which offers traditional auto financing to U.S. drivers across the credit spectrum, and BAMA Leasing, which offers leases to drivers in Boston and San Francisco.
Rental pilot: Some drivers want to rent a car when and where they’d like to drive, instead of leasing or buying one. We’re working with Flexdrive, a Cox automotive company, to pilot a weekly rental option in Atlanta, Dallas, and Nashville. Drivers can rent an uberX-eligible car on a weekly basis, with insurance and maintenance included. We hope to make rental options available in more cities in the future.
We’re excited about how these new solutions meet drivers’ unique needs, and offer more and better choices and greater flexibility than ever before

MEMPHIS, Tenn., FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) announced today that John A. Smith has been named President and CEO of FedEx Freight effective August 16, 2018. Smith, 56, currently serves as Senior Vice President of Operations at FedEx Freight, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. Smith will succeed Michael L. Ducker, whose pending retirement was announced earlier this month.

A 32-year veteran of the transportation industry, Smith joined FedEx in 2000. His experience spans every area of the business, including operations, sales, transportation, fleet maintenance, facility services and safety. Along with being responsible for the leadership and direction of FedEx Freight, he will also serve on the Strategic Management Committee of FedEx Corporation.

FedEx Corp. also announced today that Matthew Thornton III, 59, Senior Vice President of U.S. Operations for FedEx Express and a 40-year FedEx team member, will become Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of FedEx Freight. In this role, Thornton will be responsible for overseeing all operations for FedEx Freight, which offers extensive LTL coverage across North America. His track record of success, experience leading diverse teams, and knowledge of our global operation will be vital for this new role at FedEx Freight.

“Given his deep experience in the transportation industry, unparalleled customer focus and trusted leadership, John Smith is a clear choice to lead the FedEx Freight organization into the future,” said David J. Bronczek, president and COO of FedEx Corporation. “Matthew Thornton has proven himself time and again in his leadership at FedEx Express, and his thorough knowledge of all aspects of operations make him an excellent addition to the FedEx Freight leadership team. Both are examples of our strong promote-from-within philosophy at FedEx, and with these two leaders at the helm, the future for our FedEx Freight organization continues to look very bright.”

Smith and Thornton will begin transitioning into their new roles starting mid-May.

“21st century freight railroads are listening to our customers and communities, innovating to meet their needs, and steadily improving our ability to serve as the backbone of the next industrial revolution,” Norfolk Southern Corporation’s chairman and CEO told attendees at the Forbes’ “Reinventing America – Leading the Next Industrial Revolution” Summit here.

“Today’s freight railroads are safe, dependable, efficient, and green,” Wick Moorman said. “We move the raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods that move the economy. The good news is that we have the capability and desire to do much more.”

Addressing a discussion theme that posited, “Once left for dead as a relic of the 19th century, railroads are emerging as the most important logistics system of the 21st century,” Moorman described several Norfolk Southern initiatives contributing to what often is called the “rail renaissance.”

On the technology side these include Movement Planner and the Unified Train Control dispatching systems developed in collaboration with GE, and the LEADER system for locomotive fuel efficiency. In the marketing arena, Moorman highlighted NS’ expanding services to the crude oil industry, and the export automotive trade, where the railroad handles a large percentage of vehicles destined for global markets. “When you see a Norfolk Southern train, that’s our economy in motion,” he said.

“The earliest predecessors of Norfolk Southern were born at the end of the first Industrial Revolution, and railroads came into their own during the second Industrial Revolution,” Moorman said. “We build our infrastructure and systems for the long-term – investing $10 billion since 2010 alone. We plan to be around another 180 years, and you can count on us to do our part to usher in a new age of growth.”

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

This news is courtesy of www.nscorp.com

SAN FRANCISCO, – Lyft, Inc. today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of its Class A common stock at a price of $72.00 per share. Lyft is offering 32,500,000 shares of its Class A common stock, plus up to an additional 4,875,000 shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase. The shares are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on March 29, 2019 under the ticker symbol “LYFT” and the offering is expected to close on April 2, 2019, subject to customary closing conditions.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Jefferies LLC, UBS Securities LLC, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. are acting as book-running managers.

A registration statement relating to this offering was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2019. This offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, copies of which may be obtained from: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at 866-803-9204 or by email at prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com; Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, Eleven Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10010, by telephone at 800-221-1037 or by email at usa.prospectus@credit-suisse.com; Jefferies LLC, Attn: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Departments, 520 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at 877-821-7388 or by email at Prospectus_Department@Jefferies.com; UBS Securities LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, by telephone at 888-827-7275 or by email at olprospectusrequest@ubs.com; Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Attn: Syndicate Department, 1 South Street, 15th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202, by telephone at 855-300-7136 or by email at syndprospectus@stifel.com; RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Attn: Equity Syndicate, 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10281-8098, by telephone at 877-822-4089 or by email at equityprospectus@rbccm.com; or KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Attn: Prospectus Delivery Department, 127 Public Square, 4th Floor, Cleveland, OH 44114 or by telephone at 800-859-1783.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The recent drive to improve conditions for the export of US manufactured products is having a significant impact on the level of US exports. Statistics from the the US Department of Customs has indicated that in the last year alone, exports have jumped to over 250 percent in volume.

Behind every successful Uber ride is a technology many of us take for granted: maps. Mobile maps and GPS allow us to match you with the closest available driver, navigate the fastest path to your destination, and give you an accurate ETA. Accurate maps are at the heart of our service and the backbone of our business.

In fact, Uber wouldn’t exist if comprehensive interactive digital maps hadn’t been created first. For over a decade, I helped lead that effort as the head of Google Maps. Today I lead Uber’s mapping efforts to ensure we can provide a safe, reliable ride — no matter where you are. To do that, Uber uses a mix of mapping technologies (including our own) to provide the underlying infrastructure for our apps.

Existing maps are a good starting point, but some information isn’t that relevant to Uber, like ocean topography. There are other things we need to know a lot more about, like traffic patterns and precise pickup and dropoff locations. Moreover, we need to be able to provide a seamless experience in parts of the world where there aren’t detailed maps — or street signs.

The ongoing need for maps tailored to the Uber experience is why we’re doubling down on our investment in mapping. Last year we put mapping cars on the road in the United States. This summer they hit the road in Mexico. Our efforts are similar to what other companies including Apple and TomTom are already doing around the world.

The street imagery captured by our mapping cars will help us improve core elements of the Uber experience, like ideal pick-up and drop-off points and the best routes for riders and drivers. Although our imagery collection efforts are focused now in Mexico, we plan to expand these efforts to other countries soon.

Over the past decade mapping innovation has disrupted industries and changed daily life in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I started. That progress will only accelerate in the coming years especially with technologies like self-driving cars. I remain excited by the prospect of how maps can put the world at our fingertips, improve everyday life, impact billions of people and enable innovations we can’t even imagine today.

Baltimoreans and visitors to the city can now access new cars on demand for hourly or daily rates through Maven’s seamless mobile app. Maven, General Motors’ personal mobility brand, is expanding its offerings in Baltimore from the Lyft Express Drive program to now include Maven City car sharing.

In 14 months, Maven has launched three products and grown to 17 cities in the U.S. and Canada: Ann Arbor, Michigan; Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Chicago; Denver; Detroit; Los Angeles; Jersey City, New Jersey; Nashville, Tennessee; New York City; Orlando, Florida; Phoenix; San Diego; San Francisco; Washington, D.C.; and Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Maven has attracted more than 30,000 members who have traveled 95 million miles to be more connected to the things they love.

EXPANDING

Baltimore is embracing a new generation of people who want to live and work in an urban environment and are attracted to the downtown revitalization efforts. With Maven, their car is right around the corner. Maven stations are spread throughout downtown with approximately 20 locations in Mount Vernon, Fell’s Point, Federal Hill, Station North, Bolton Hill, the Inner Harbor and in neighborhoods in and around Johns Hopkins University.

Maven makes living car-free or car-lite a simple and convenient option. A diverse fleet mix includes the Chevrolet Cruze and Cruze Hatchback, Malibu and Tahoe and the GMC Acadia.

Here is a closer look at the newest Maven offering in Baltimore:

Maven City: Maven City is a connected, seamless car-sharing experience that includes new vehicles loaded with technology, connectivity and features. Members can reserve one of 40 cars by using the mobile app, and hourly rates start as low as $8 plus tax. Maven has no membership or application fees, and gas and insurance are included with a reservation.

Maven cars are high trim level vehicles with leather seating and include SiriusXM™. OnStar® Advisors are available at the push of a button to help members book hotel rooms in their favorite beach community or route them to a park outside the city for a weekend adventure.

Exploring Baltimore in a Maven vehicle will feel more like traditional car ownership because members will enjoy access to their music, messages, maps and contacts through Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™.

INNOVATING

Maven is testing future shared mobility services at GM campus car-sharing locations. Campus car-sharing services are currently operating at the Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, GM do Brasil headquarters in São Cataeno do Sul and at GM Australia/Holden headquarters.

There are now more than 100 global Maven team members as the brand continues to attract top talent from the car-sharing, ridesharing and connected car industries, as well as some of the best minds from within GM. The Maven team already has filed seven patent applications to help make car sharing more intelligent.
BY THE NUMBERS

Maven has more than 30,000 members who have made 39,000 reservations.
Maven and GM+Lyft Express Drive members have logged more than 93 million miles on the road.
The average Maven City trip is 99 miles and lasts more than 16 hours.
Maven City’s most popular cars are the Chevrolet Tahoe and the extended-range electric Chevrolet Volt.
Maven recently deployed more than 100 Chevrolet Bolt EVs with an EPA-estimated range of 238 miles into car-sharing and ridesharing services in California. (Actual range may vary based on several factors including temperature, terrain, and driving technique.)
QUOTES

“Baltimore is a great fit for an elevated car-sharing service because of the number of people wanting to live and work in a revitalized downtown,” said Dan Grossman, Maven chief operating officer. “Owning a car in a densely populated urban city is not always practical, and Maven now provides options for Baltimoreans wanting to live car-free or car-lite.”

BACKGROUND

Maven is car sharing, refined. A fully connected fleet of General Motors vehicles featuring new cars loaded with technology allows users to personalize the entire experience. Members bring their digital lives into the vehicles through Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, including contacts, favorites and maps.

Maven advisor support is available through OnStar® for questions, roadside assistance and emergency response, allowing peace of mind for the journey. SiriusXM™ and 4G LTE Wi-Fi™ allows for a more engaged experience.

Pricing is simple and transparent, and includes insurance (minus a deductible) and fuel. A gas card is provided, and users are asked to return the vehicle with at least one quarter-tank of fuel to avoid an additional charge.

Stagecoach Group plc (“Stagecoach”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to sell its North America Division to an affiliate of Variant Equity Advisors, LLC (“Variant”) (the “Disposal”), for an estimated enterprise valuation of US$271.4m. The cash proceeds will be used to reduce Stagecoach’s consolidated net debt. The Disposal is expected to complete by the end of the current financial year to 27 April 2019.

Martin Griffiths, Stagecoach Chief Executive, commented:
“During our two decades in the North American transportation market, our success included reinvigorating the inter-city coach sector and delivering growth with our innovative megabus.com brand. We have a great team of people who have ensured we have played a leading role in the development of public transportation in the United States and Canada.

“The sale of our North American operations will allow management to focus more closely on the significant opportunities for growth in the UK. We have strong bus and rail operations in the UK where public transport has good prospects as the clear solution to the challenges of increasing road congestion and poor air quality.”

Information regarding Stagecoach’s North America Division

Stagecoach’s North America Division operates bus and coach services. It provides megabus.com inter-city coach services, commuter services, airport transportation, sightseeing tours, charters and contract services across North America. It is one of the largest ground transportation operators in North America with around 4,500 employees and more than 2,000 buses and coaches.

For the year to 27 October 2018, Stagecoach reported revenue of US$619.4m (£460.3m) and operating profit* of US$21.7m (£15.9m) for the North America Division. For the last full Stagecoach financial year to 28 April 2018, revenue for the North America Division was US$630.0m (£470.9m), operating profit was US$28.1m (£21.0m) and profit before tax was US$23.8m (£17.8m). The gross assets of the North America Division as at 27 October 2018 were US$478.6m (£373.3m).

Background to and reasons for the Disposal

The Stagecoach Board believes that the Disposal represents an opportunity to realise an attractive valuation for the business whilst refocusing Stagecoach’s portfolio on the UK.

The management of the North America Division are expected to remain with that business following the Disposal, while Stagecoach Group’s management will principally focus on its UK bus and rail operations, and growth opportunities in the UK.

Terms of the Disposal and use of proceeds

The North America Division is headed by Coach USA, Administration, Inc. Stagecoach subsidiary, Scusi Limited (“Scusi”), has agreed to sell 100% of the equity of Coach USA, Administration, Inc. to Project Kenwood Acquisition, LLC. Project Kenwood Acquisition, LLC. is an entity managed by Variant. Variant is a private equity firm that focuses on pursuing corporate divestitures and other operationally-intensive transactions.

The consideration for the Disposal has been agreed at US$207.0m, subject to a “Locked Box” arrangement. Based on the net debt of the North America Division as at 27 October 2018 of US$64.4m (after adjusting for US$20.0m of dividends paid in November 2018 and reflected in the
agreed price), that represents an enterprise value for the business of US$271.4m.

The consideration includes a Deferred Payment Instrument of US$65.0m, with the balance of the consideration being payable in cash on completion of the Disposal. The amounts that Scusi receives under the Deferred Payment Instrument might be affected by the future performance or subsequent sale of the North America business.

Under the agreed “Locked Box” arrangement, the cash consideration may be adjusted for certain “leakage” transactions, such as further dividends, prior to the completion of the Disposal. For a transitional period following the Disposal, Stagecoach will continue to support collateral arrangements for the ongoing operation of the North America Division, principally in relation to insurance.

The cash proceeds will be applied to reduce Stagecoach’s consolidated net debt.

Completion of the Disposal is subject to certain conditions, principally relating to the approval of the Surface Transportation Board, the removal of certain Stagecoach parent company guarantees, change of control consents and no material adverse events. Stagecoach expects the Disposal to
complete by the end of its current financial year to 27 April 2019.

RBC Capital Markets acted as Financial Adviser to Stagecoach on the Disposal. Covington & Burling LLP acted as Legal Adviser to Stagecoach on the Disposal. Sidley Austin LLP acted as Legal Adviser to Variant on the Disposal.

The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of Stagecoach Group plc is Ross Paterson, Finance Director.

*Operating profit for the North America Division refers to profit before net finance income/charges, taxation, non-software intangible asset amortisation, exceptional items and restructuring costs.

Menlo Logistics (Menlo), the US$1.6 billion global logistics subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW), today announced a new partnership with Starbucks Corp. to provide logistics management services for the global coffee company’s growing operations in Thailand.

Specifically, Menlo will provide warehousing, inventory and transportation management services for Starbucks’ chilled, frozen, air-conditioned and ambient products from a new 7,635-square-meter dedicated warehouse located at Bangna Km.23 in Bangkok. The scope of the relationship with Starbucks includes warehouse returns, transfer management, pick and pack, labeling and kitting, and repackaging as needed. Menlo will also manage nighttime product delivery to Starbucks stores and will design the daily and weekly delivery routing for chilled and ambient products to all Starbucks stores throughout Thailand.

“We needed a reliable partner in Thailand that could analyze our specific needs and execute a plan to reduce costs, further streamline our operations and improve service tracking,” said Ravee Purananda, Senior Manager of Supply Chain Operations at Starbucks. “Menlo is providing us with a comprehensive logistics solution designed to meet those needs, and we look forward to further developing our presence in Thailand with their support.”

Starbucks operates more than 6,000 locations worldwide. In Thailand, there are currently 182 stores throughout Bangkok and Upcountry, with another 30 locations planned by end of 2014.

“Being selected by Starbucks as their partner in Thailand is a testament to our industry expertise and our ability to design and implement logistics plans that maximize supply chain performance,” said Desmond Chan, managing director, South Asia, Menlo Logistics. “Menlo has successfully operated in Thailand for eight years and we are thankful for the opportunity to work with Starbucks to support their growth in the country.”

Menlo is a leading global provider of logistics, transportation management and supply chain services with operations on five continents, managing dedicated and multi-client warehouses in Southeast Asia, China, India, Australia, North America and Europe. All of the company’s facilities worldwide operate under the Lean principles of continuous improvement and reduction of waste.

About Menlo Logistics
Menlo Logistics, LLC, is a US$1.6 billion global provider of logistics, transportation management and supply chain services with operations in five continents, including North America. As a third-party logistics provider, San Francisco, Calif.-based Menlo Logistics’ services range from dedicated contract logistics to warehouse and distribution management, transportation management, supply chain reengineering and other value-added services including packaging, kitting, order fulfillment and light assembly through a strategic network of multi-client and dedicated facilities. With more than 17 million square feet of dedicated warehouse space in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America, and industry-leading technologies, Menlo Logistics creates effective, integrated solutions for the transportation and distribution needs of leading businesses around the world.

This Ress Release is courtesy of www.con-way.com

A resilient supply chain is the fundamental goal of the majority of enterprises throughout the world. Increased complexity, the pressure to become both more efficient and environmentally friendly, as well as the geographical distances involved in such supply chains all contribute to a greater risk of disruption. Clearly, solutions need to become increasingly innovative to meet the challenge.

Arthur van Gerven from the global logistics service provider, Menlo Logistics, was recently invited to join professors of logistics and other leading authorities from around Europe to address the issue and present Menlo’s view on how solutions can be created. The TRA 2014 Conference, of which Van Gerven’s session formed a part, was organized by the LOG4GREEN cooperation. This initiative aims at awareness raising and strengthening the competitiveness in Europe’s logistics sector.

Van Gerven started from the premise that 4PL or lead logistics provision benefits supply chain resilience by avoiding the causes of disruption or by better adapting to its consequences. “The over-sight provided by a 4PL operator will improve performance in four criteria, which are key to the resilience of any supply chain,” explained van Gerven. “The model provides flexibility to achieve rapid reaction to circumstances; predictability in order to maximize optimization and both cost and carbon efficiency, which promote business and environmental sustainability.”

Out-sourcing to a 3PL service provider goes some way to managing the results of supply chain disruption whether created by a major disaster capable of paralyzing a complete production process or more minor localized events such as traffic congestion or labor disputes. However, a 4PL approach, over-seeing all out-sourced logistics suppliers allows for the identification also of more systematic, process-driven inefficiencies. A good 4PL is capable of designing solutions to reinforce any complex supply chain.

Menlo’s approach, as described by van Gerven in the real-life context of a retail sportswear customer, revolves around the technique of Value Stream Mapping. This is part of the Lean methodology and has as its primary goals the elimination of waste and creating a road map for continuous improvement.

As a result of employing this philosophy, resilience is built into the supply chain performance. Measurement of asset leverage and process efficiency as well as emission target achievement is continuous and the ability to resist disruption is constantly reviewed. Disaster recovery and contingency planning can then also take place with the confidence that a robust yet flexible supply chain is already in operation.

In concluding, van Gerven also underlined a further benefit of the 4PL’s adaptability. “Resilience is also enhanced by the ability of shippers and their 4PL’s to collaborate in reducing supply chain waste and emissions and therefore improve sustainability through the joint utilization of assets and sharing of resources. This is a vital consideration in the future success of minimizing supply chain disruption,” he said.

About Menlo Logistics Europe
In Europe, Menlo Logistics maintains seventeen dedicated and multi-client logistics centres located in the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany and the United Kingdom. This warehouse network can serve as pan-European distribution solution using one or several facilities. Supply chain and transport management solutions as well as 3PL, warehousing and distribution services are offered to a variety of vertical industry sectors including: fashion and apparel; healthcare and medical equipment; hi-tech electronic; oil and gas and data network equipment; automotive; defense and government services and retail e-fulfillment. The European headquarters is at the multi-client Amsterdam Distribution Centre in the Netherlands. www.menloworldwide.com/europe

Follow Menlo on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MenloLogistics

About Menlo Logistics
Menlo Logistics, LLC, is a US$1.6 billion global provider of logistics, transportation management and supply chain services with operations in five continents, including North America. As a third-party logistics provider, San Francisco, California-based Menlo Logistics’ services range from dedicated contract logistics to warehouse and distribution management, transportation management, supply chain reengineering and other value-added services including packaging, kitting, order fulfillment and light assembly through a strategic network of multi-client and dedicated facilities.

With nearly 20 million square feet of dedicated warehouse space in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America, and industry-leading technologies, Menlo Logistics creates effective, integrated solutions for the transportation and distribution needs of leading businesses around the world. Menlo Logistics, LLC, is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW), a $5.5 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics company.

REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft Corp. today announced a restructuring plan to simplify its organization and align the recently acquired Nokia Devices and Services business with the company’s overall strategy.

These steps will result in the elimination of up to 18,000 positions over the next year. Of the total, about 12,500 professional and factory positions will be eliminated through synergies and strategic alignment of the Nokia Devices and Services business acquired by Microsoft on April 25.

The actions associated with the plan are expected to be substantially complete by Dec. 31, 2014, and fully completed by June 30, 2015.

The company expects to incur pre-tax charges of $1.1 billion to $1.6 billion over the next four quarters, including $750 million to $800 million for severance and related benefit costs, and $350 million to $800 million of asset-related charges.

The plans were outlined in an email from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to Microsoft employees, and an email from Microsoft Executive Vice President Stephen Elop to Microsoft Devices Group employees.

From Satya:

Having a clear focus is the start of the journey, not the end. The more difficult steps are creating the organization and culture to bring our ambitions to life. Today I’ll share more on how we’re moving forward. On July 22, during our public earnings call, I’ll share further specifics on where we are focusing our innovation investments.

The first step to building the right organization for our ambitions is to realign our workforce. With this in mind, we will begin to reduce the size of our overall workforce by up to 18,000 jobs in the next year. Of that total, our work toward synergies and strategic alignment on Nokia Devices and Services is expected to account for about 12,500 jobs, comprising both professional and factory workers. We are moving now to start reducing the first 13,000 positions, and the vast majority of employees whose jobs will be eliminated will be notified over the next six months. It’s important to note that while we are eliminating roles in some areas, we are adding roles in certain other strategic areas. My promise to you is that we will go through this process in the most thoughtful and transparent way possible. We will offer severance to all employees impacted by these changes, as well as job transition help in many locations, and everyone can expect to be treated with the respect they deserve for their contributions to this company.

Later today your Senior Leadership Team member will share more on what to expect in your organization. Our workforce reductions are mainly driven by two outcomes: work simplification as well as Nokia Devices and Services integration synergies and strategic alignment.

First, we will simplify the way we work to drive greater accountability, become more agile and move faster. As part of modernizing our engineering processes the expectations we have from each of our disciplines will change. In addition, we plan to have fewer layers of management, both top down and sideways, to accelerate the flow of information and decision making. This includes flattening organizations and increasing the span of control of people managers. In addition, our business processes and support models will be more lean and efficient with greater trust between teams. The overall result of these changes will be more productive, impactful teams across Microsoft. These changes will affect both the Microsoft workforce and our vendor staff. Each organization is starting at different points and moving at different paces.

Second, we are working to integrate the Nokia Devices and Services teams into Microsoft. We will realize the synergies to which we committed when we announced the acquisition last September. The first-party phone portfolio will align to Microsoft’s strategic direction. To win in the higher price tiers, we will focus on breakthrough innovation that expresses and enlivens Microsoft’s digital work and digital life experiences. In addition, we plan to shift select Nokia X product designs to become Lumia products running Windows. This builds on our success in the affordable smartphone space and aligns with our focus on Windows Universal Apps.

From Stephen Elop:

Microsoft’s strategy is focused on productivity and our desire to help people “do more.” As the Microsoft Devices Group, our role is to light up this strategy for people. We are the team creating the hardware that showcases the finest of Microsoft’s digital work and digital life experiences, and we will be the confluence of the best of Microsoft’s applications, operating systems and cloud services.

To align with Microsoft’s strategy, we plan to focus our efforts. Given the wide range of device experiences, we must concentrate on the areas where we can add the most value. The roots of this company and our future are in productivity and helping people get things done. Our fundamental focus – for phones, Surface, for meetings with devices like PPI, Xbox hardware and new areas of innovation — is to build on that strength. While our direction in the majority of our teams is largely unchanging, we have had an opportunity to plan carefully about the alignment of phones within Microsoft as the transferring Nokia team continues with its integration process.

It is particularly important to recognize that the role of phones within Microsoft is different than it was within Nokia. Whereas the hardware business of phones within Nokia was an end unto itself, within Microsoft all our devices are intended to embody the finest of Microsoft’s digital work and digital life experiences, while accruing value to Microsoft’s overall strategy. Our device strategy must reflect Microsoft’s strategy and must be accomplished within an appropriate financial envelope. Therefore, we plan to make some changes.

We will be particularly focused on making the market for Windows Phone. In the near term, we plan to drive Windows Phone volume by targeting the more affordable smartphone segments, which are the fastest growing segments of the market, with Lumia. In addition to the portfolio already planned, we plan to deliver additional lower-cost Lumia devices by shifting select future Nokia X designs and products to Windows Phone devices. We expect to make this shift immediately while continuing to sell and support existing Nokia X products.

To win in the higher price segments, we will focus on delivering great breakthrough products in alignment with major milestones ahead from both the Windows team and the Applications and Services Group. We will ensure that the very best experiences and scenarios from across the company will be showcased on our products. We plan to take advantage of innovation from the Windows team, like Universal Windows Apps, to continue to enrich the Windows application ecosystem. And in the very lowest price ranges, we plan to run our first phones business for maximum efficiency with a smaller team.

We expect these changes to have an impact to our team structure. With our focus, we plan to consolidate the former Smart Devices and Mobile Phones business units into one phone business unit that is responsible for all of our phone efforts. Under the plan, the phone business unit will be led by Jo Harlow with key members from both the Smart Devices and Mobile Phones teams in the management team. This team will be responsible for the success of our Lumia products, the transition of select future Nokia X products to Lumia and for the ongoing operation of the first phone business.

As part of the effort, we plan to select the appropriate business model approach for our sales markets while continuing to offer our products in all markets with a strong focus on maintaining business continuity. We will determine each market approach based on local market dynamics, our ability to profitably deliver local variants, current Lumia momentum and the strategic importance of the market to Microsoft. This will all be balanced with our overall capability to invest.

Our phone engineering efforts are expected to be concentrated in Salo, Finland (for future, high-end Lumia products) and Tampere, Finland (for more affordable devices). We plan to develop the supporting technologies in both locations. We plan to ramp down engineering work in Oulu. While we plan to reduce the engineering in Beijing and San Diego, both sites will continue to have supporting roles, including affordable devices in Beijing and supporting specific US requirements in San Diego. Espoo and Lund are planned to continue to be focused on application software development.

We plan to right-size our manufacturing operations to align to the new strategy and take advantage of integration opportunities. We expect to focus phone production mainly in Hanoi, with some production to continue in Beijing and Dongguan. We plan to shift other Microsoft manufacturing and repair operations to Manaus and Reynosa respectively, and start a phased exit from Komaron, Hungary.

In short, we will focus on driving Lumia volume in the areas where we are already successful today in order to make the market for Windows Phone. With more speed, we will build on our success in the affordable smartphone space with new products offering more differentiation. We’ll focus on acquiring new customers in the markets where Microsoft’s services and products are most concentrated. And, we’ll continue building momentum around applications.

We plan that this would result in an estimated reduction of 12,500 factory direct and professional employees over the next year. These decisions are difficult for the team, and we plan to support departing team members with severance benefits.

More broadly across the Devices team, we will continue our efforts to bring iconic tablets to market in ways that complement our OEM partners, power the next generation of meetings & collaboration devices and thoughtfully expand Windows with new interaction models. With a set of changes already implemented earlier this year in these teams, this means there will be limited change for the Surface, Xbox hardware, PPI/meetings or next generation teams.

We recognize these planned changes are broad and have very difficult implications for many of our team members. We will work to provide as much clarity and information as possible. Today and over the coming weeks leaders across the organization will hold town halls, host information sharing sessions and provide more details on the intranet.

The team transferring from Nokia and the teams that have been part of Microsoft have each experienced a number of remarkable changes these last few years. We operate in a competitive industry that moves rapidly, and change is necessary. As difficult as some of our changes are today, this direction deliberately aligns our work with the cross company efforts that Satya has described in his recent emails. Collectively, the clarity, focus and alignment across the company, and the opportunity to deliver the results of that work into the hands of people, will allow us to increase our success in the future.

This is courtesy of www.microsoft.com

LISLE, Ill., March 12, 2024 — Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is making progress in autonomous driving technology in preparation for the launch of an autonomous commercial pilot program with customers. As a member of the TRATON Group, Navistar is involved in a new partnership with Plus to integrate its Level 4 autonomous SuperDrive™ technology stack into International® vehicles and other branded vehicles within the TRATON Group.

Navistar recognizes that the high volume and scalability of hub-to-hub operations presents an immediate addressable market of 25 billion miles of long-distance freight on the U.S. interstate system. The company has strategically selected hub-to-hub operations as the company’s core segment for commercial viability of autonomous implementation. International trucks equipped with SuperDrive™ by Plus are being validated with a safety driver on routes in Texas. Customer pilots are expected within the year, with commercial deployments expanding incrementally along strategic U.S. corridors.

“There is a strong business case for autonomous technology in the hub-to-hub distribution model, specifically in long-haul transportation where there’s a compelling opportunity to increase operational efficiencies,” said Tobias Glitterstam, chief Strategy and Transformation officer, Navistar. “Global partnership with a company like Plus allows us to leverage the technical strides they have made as we work together to focus on the commercial viability of Level 4 autonomous driving.”

Navistar’s autonomous commercial pilot program is focused on integrated autonomous solutions. Fully developed and supported by Navistar, the autonomous technology solutions will be seamlessly integrated into customer operations, tailored to fit unique customer requirements.

“Our autonomous commercial pilot program is intended to be a safe, reliable option for customers to explore the deployment and integration of autonomous vehicles into their operations,” said Chet Ciesielski, vice president, On-Highway Business, Navistar. “As always, we are committed to being a trusted partner as we seek to develop solutions for autonomous driving technology that increase our customers’ operating efficiencies, improve road safety, and alleviate strains in the supply chain.”

The Plus Level 4 autonomous driving system SuperDrive™ is integrated into International trucks, providing solutions for maintenance, telematics, safety, and reliability.

“We are excited to partner with Navistar to build the next generation of transportation solutions enabled by our industry-leading autonomy technology,” added Shawn Kerrigan, COO and Co-founder of Plus. “By leveraging our experience deploying our highly modular and flexible autonomous driving software across the U.S., we can help accelerate the commercialization of autonomous trucks that can easily be integrated into customer operations.”

About Navistar
Navistar, Inc. (“Navistar”) is a commercial transportation solutions provider with a vision to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility. Based in Lisle, Illinois, Navistar and its subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® commercial trucks and powertrains, IC Bus® school and commercial buses, OnCommand® Connection advanced connectivity services, Fleetrite® aftermarket parts, and captive financing through Navistar Financial. With a history of innovation dating back to 1831, Navistar has nearly 15,000 employees worldwide and is a subsidiary of TRATON SE, the parent and holding company of the TRATON GROUP and one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. Learn more at www.Navistar.com.

About Plus
Plus is a global provider of autonomous driving technology with headquarters in Silicon Valley, California and operations in the U.S., Europe and Australia. Named by Forbes as one of America’s Best Startup Employers and by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies, Plus’s open autonomy technology platform is already powering vehicles in commercial use today. Partnered with Bosch, dm-drogerie markt, DSV, IVECO, Luminar, Nikola, Scania / MAN / Navistar of the TRATON Group, Transurban and other global partners, Plus is working to make driving safer, more comfortable, and more sustainable. For more information, visit www.plus.ai.

Website: Navistar.com/News

SOURCE NAVISTAR INTERNATIONAL CORP

For further information: Navistar Media contact: Nick Smith, Nick.Smith@Navistar.com, 480-398-6511; Navistar Investor contact: Marvin Kalberlah, Marvin.Kalberlah@Navistar.com, 630-432-5179

WILLIS, Texas – Navistar has announced the opening of its 100th storefront location by Kyrish Truck Center in Willis, Texas for its Fleetrite® all-makes and models aftermarket truck and bus parts brand. With this milestone, Navistar has doubled its original goal of opening 50 Fleetrite locations by 2025.

“Our goal for Fleetrite is to continue to expand our reach with additional product lines and store locations to increase the Fleetrite footprint in North America and connect with more customers,” said Mark Reiter, vice president, Parts. “Kyrish Truck Centers, and all our dealers who have opened Fleetrite locations, make these goals possible. We also appreciate Kyrish whose investment in new, standalone facilities, like this site in Willis, Texas, puts parts in the hands of our dealers, fleet managers, and service managers thereby reducing downtime for our customers. We see true value in the Fleetrite brand and look forward to working with Kyrish, and all our dealers, to open additional facilities.”

Fleetrite currently offers more than 100 product lines with 18,000 parts, consistently increasing its offerings and inventory for customers. For over 50 years, Fleetrite stores have offered aftermarket quality approved parts which are competitively priced and backed by a one-year nationwide parts and labor warranty.

Kyrish Truck Centers, a family owned and operated International® truck dealership which concentrates on the sale and service of medium duty, heavy duty, and severe duty trucks, now operates four Fleetrite locations across Texas. Through its Fleetrite stores, Kyrish allows greater access to parts for customers across the state.

“We are delighted to be opening our newest Fleetrite store in Willis, Texas,” said Jeff Kyrish, CEO, Kyrish Truck Centers. “We believe that Fleetrite is an integral part of our long-term parts strategy, targeting customers who traditionally shy away from an OEM buying opportunity and helping our customers increase uptime. These stores have allowed us to reach more customers quicker and provide top-quality all-makes parts that get trucks back on the road.”

In celebration of the new store in Willis, Kyrish Truck Center hosted a grand opening on Aug. 3, and invited customers, community, and company leaders. Brad Smith, shop foreman with the Willis Independent School District, participated in the event after recently connecting with the store’s personnel. Smith oversees a fleet that includes 97 IC Bus® school buses. The district is experiencing significant growth, adding between 1,500 and 1,800 new students in the coming year. Smith anticipates that about half will require school bus transportation, requiring him to precisely maintain his fleet and prevent downtime. He welcomes the opening of a new Fleetrite store across the street from his bus depot.

“From what I can tell looking around, the store will have a lot of stock,” said Smith. “That really helps my school district because we’re growing so fast. With the store here, I can get parts so much quicker and not have to go get a spare bus to put on the road. It’s going to be great. It will keep my fleet running a lot more efficiently.”

In recent years, recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified school bus drivers challenged the transportation and education industries. With so many students and their families relying on bus drivers for safe, reliable transportation to and from school, Smith believes the Fleetrite store in Willis, its parts availability, and in-house, local experts to assist with service challenges, will enhance the operation of his fleet, prevent disruptions, and satisfy his drivers.

“Bus drivers don’t like to drive a bus that isn’t theirs,” said Smith. “If I can keep them in their bus, the whole year, that keeps them working. That makes them come to work.”

To learn more about Fleetrite, visit www.fleetrite.com.

About Navistar
Navistar, Inc. (“Navistar”) is a purpose-driven company, reimagining how to deliver what matters to create more cohesive relationships, build higher-performing teams and find solutions where others don’t. Based in Lisle, Illinois, Navistar or its subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial trucks and engines, IC Bus® brand school and commercial buses, all-makes OnCommand® Connection advanced connectivity services, and Fleetrite®, ReNEWeD® and Diamond Advantage® brand aftermarket parts. With a history of innovation dating back to 1831, Navistar has more than 14,500 employees worldwide and is part of TRATON SE, a global champion of the truck and transport services industry. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com.

SAN DIEGO and CINCINNATI, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Netradyne, a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing focusing on driver and fleet safety, and First Student, the leading school transportation provider in North America, today announced a partnership to help create safer roads and transportation for students. Through this relationship, First Student will initially deploy Driveri® vision-based driver recognition devices at selected locations, with plans to evaluate future expansion.

Driveri will be implemented as part of First Student’s DriverScore™ program. This initiative measures a driver’s performance to help improve the quality and safety of transportation service for school districts and their families.

Driveri is the most advanced vision-based driver recognition and fleet safety solution, built to reinforce positive driving behavior and pinpoint coaching and improvement opportunities. In working with Netradyne, First Student will help champion its drivers to remain the safest operators on the road. In addition, there also is the ability for Netradyne’s technology to interface with the Seon, First Student’s onboard bus camera system.

Through Driveri, actionable information will be put into the hands of location leadership. Managers will have a complete understanding of a driver’s performance, including key performance indicators and a “Green Zone” which indicates when the driver is following training and driving safely. First Student drivers will receive feedback about their performance, including positive recognition and rewards.

“At First Student, we believe our drivers are our best safety feature, and we invest heavily in their training and development,” said First Student Chief Operating Officer Dean Suhre. “By partnering with Netradyne, we further demonstrate our commitment to providing the safest ride to and from school. We look forward to using this cutting-edge technology to elevate our DriverScore program and safety culture by helping our drivers sharpen their skills behind the wheel while also recognizing safe driving behavior.”

“Our partnership with First Student aligns with our core mission of creating safer roads for all,” said Adam Kahn, President, Fleet Business and Certified Transportation Professional (CTP®), Netradyne. “While school buses are often regarded as the best option for transporting students to school, Netradyne’s technology can play a massive role in making the ride even safer. Our advanced vision technology can help drivers mitigate risks and create a safety-driven environment–immediately upon deployment.”

About Netradyne, Inc.
Netradyne harnesses the power of Computer Vision and Edge Computing to revolutionize the modern-day transportation ecosystem. Netradyne is an industry leader in fleet safety solutions, immediately improving driver behavior and fleet performance, setting the commercial vehicle driving standards. Netradyne collects and analyzes more data points and meaningful information than any other fleet safety organization so customers can improve retention, increase profitability, enhance safety, and enable end-to-end transparency. Organizations trust Netradyne to build a positive, safe, and driver-focused culture, so they can take their business to the next level.

About First Student
As the leading school transportation solutions provider in North America, First Student strives to provide the best start and finish to every school day. First Student completes five million student journeys each day, moving more passengers than all U.S. airlines combined. With a team of highly-trained drivers and the industry’s strongest safety record, First Student delivers reliable, quality services including full-service transportation and management, special-needs transportation, route optimization and scheduling, maintenance, and charter services with a fleet of about 40,000 buses. For more information, please visit firststudentinc.com

Media Contact:
Sara Long
sara.long@sparkpr.com

SOURCE Netradyne

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WASHINGTON — Small business leaders increasingly view U.S. participation in global trade as the way to improve the overall economy and create American jobs, according to results of the fourth FedEx Trade Index(1), a survey of more than 1,000 small business leaders which tracks the impact of international trade among the small business segment of the U.S. economy.

The nationwide survey*, commissioned by FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and conducted by Morning Consult, finds a substantial majority of U.S. small business leaders (82%) see increasing U.S. trade as beneficial to the overall economy, up from 76% earlier this year, and two out of the three also say the U.S. risks falling behind if not included in trade agreements.

When asked about the impact of tariffs on imports from China, two out of three small business leaders worry the tariffs will mean higher prices on consumer items, and three out of five say the impact on business will be negative.

“Tariffs can restrict global trade and economic growth,” said Raj Subramaniam, executive vice president, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, FedEx Corp. “FedEx supports lowering trade barriers so our customers can remain competitive in an increasingly global marketplace.”

[1] The FedEx Trade Index is a national survey of 1004 small business leaders conducted by Morning Consult. Respondents included business owners and executives at companies with between two and 500 employees. It was conducted July 9-10, 2018. The margin of error for the full sample is +/-3%.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, today unveiled the Location Affordability Portal (LAP), a cost calculation tool that allows users to estimate housing and transportation costs for neighborhoods across the country. The LAP will help consumers and communities better understand the combined costs of housing and transportation associated with living in a specific region, street, or neighborhood and make better-informed decisions about where to live, work, and invest.

“Many consumers make the mistake of thinking they can afford to live in a certain neighborhood or region just because they can afford the rent or mortgage payment. Housing affordability encompasses much more than that,” said HUD Secretary Donovan. “The combined cost of housing and transportation consumes close to half of a working family’s monthly budget, and the LAP will help to better inform consumers, help them save money, and provide them with a broader perspective of their housing and transportation options.”

“Transportation and housing are usually the two biggest expenses a family faces,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Now, hardworking families all across the country can make better informed decisions about where to live and work, including how their different transportation options may impact those choices.”

The LAP hosts two cutting-edge data tools: the Location Affordability Index (LAI) and My Transportation Cost Calculator (MTCC). The map-based LAI is a database of predicted annual housing and transportation costs for a particular area. The LAI includes diverse household profiles—which vary by income, size, and number of commuters—and shows the affordability landscape for each one across an entire region.It was designed to help renters and homeowners, as well as planners, policymakers, developers, and researchers, get a more complete understanding of the costs of living in a location given the differences between households, neighborhoods, and regions, all of which impact affordability. The data covers 94% of the U.S. population.

The Cost Calculator, a companion to the LAI, allows users to customize data for their own household and potential residential locations. Users enter basic information about their income, housing, cars, and travel patterns. The customized estimates give a better understanding of transportation costs, how much they differ in other locations, and how much they are impacted by individual choices, allowing users to make more informed decisions about where to live and work.

The LAI was developed with the input of real-estate industry professionals, academics, and expert staff from HUD and DOT, and uses statistical models that were developed from various sources that capture key neighborhood characteristics: population density, transit and job access, average number of commuters and distance of commutes, average household income and size, median selected monthly owner costs (SMOC), and median gross rent. The LAI also considers: car ownership, annual vehicle miles traveled (VMT), percent of commuters using transit, average selected monthly ownership costs, and average gross rent. This data is then used to calculate total housing and transportation costs.

Most of the model uses data that describe features of a neighborhood that are the same regardless of who lives there. To show how affordable neighborhoods across a region are for different types of households, the LAI presents data in terms of eight different household types–each characterized by the number of family members, household income and number of commuters–that represent a broad range of U.S. families. Descriptions of these household types, as well as the complete methodology used to create the Index, are available on the LAP.

“I’ve witnessed the evolution of these tools over time and I’m impressed by the attention to detail and statistical sophistication,” said Tom Sanchez, Virginia Tech professor and Editor of the academic journal Housing Policy Debate. “Household location decisions are in fact a function of housing costs and transportation costs together. Better information should lead to better decisions that effect not only particular households, but also communities and regions.”

HUD and DOT have analyzed the LAI data to better understand how housing and transportation costs vary between neighborhoods and across regions, and how land use, infrastructure investment, neighborhood characteristics, and demographic factors ultimately impact household budgets.

The core finding of the LAI is that the way communities are built and connected to one another has significant impacts on how much resident households spend on transportation. At the neighborhood level, factors like the density of residential development, access to transit and jobs, and street connectivity strongly influence household travel behaviors and costs. At the regional level, sprawl is the strongest indicator of average transportation costs, with households in higher density areas having lower transportation costs.
Courtesy US Department of Housing & Urban Development

UPS (NYSE:UPS) is launching a daily non-stop flight from its Worldport® global air hub in Louisville, KY., to Dubai, UAE, improving time-in-transit from North and South America to key destinations in the Middle East by a full business day. The flight, operated with one of UPS’s new 747-8F freighters, is part of the build out of UPS’s smart global logistics network and takes place as the company plans for its role as official logistics provider for Expo 2020 Dubai.

“The UAE trades with all 50 U.S. states and has grown to become the U.S.’s largest export destination in the Middle East. Dubai’s importance as a global trade hub increases every day – and we’re now getting there a day faster from North and South America with our small package express carrier and cargo offerings,” said Jim Barber, President, UPS International. “Growth potential is great for companies accessing the UAE and other rapidly developing industrial and commercial sectors in the region. Our new flight is another example of how UPS’s smart global logistics network, which carries three percent of the world’s GDP every day, constantly evolves to service increasing international trade demands.”

At approximately 7,700 miles (12,400 km), the route is the longest regularly-scheduled flight UPS has ever operated, and is made possible by the new 747-8s, which offer greater payload over long range. The new flight is currently operating on a weekly basis and will become a daily flight on February 27th, operating Tuesday through Saturday. The new flight is part of plans to expand UPS’s presence in Dubai, the headquarters of UPS’s Indian Subcontinent Middle East & Africa (ISMEA) region, by establishing capacity, technology and staff capabilities to serve customers shipping to and through Dubai in the buildup to Expo 2020 and beyond. UPS has been operating in the region since 1989.

“Our customers are demanding more capacity, and we’re providing it with this non-stop connection to Dubai,” said UPS Airlines President, Brendan Canavan. “UPS has made a strategic investment in 747-8 jumbo jets, the largest aircraft we have ever flown, to offer sustainable lift on long-range international routes like this.”

The Louisville-Dubai flight leg is part of an “around-the-world” flight route that begins and ends at UPS Worldport in Louisville, KY. For the volume from North and South America that passes through Worldport, there is a full day time-in-transit improvement to Dubai. After arriving in Dubai, new package and freight volume is loaded onboard the aircraft before it departs for Shenzhen, China, home to UPS’ largest facility in Asia. U.S.-bound volume is then loaded in Shenzhen and the aircraft returns to Worldport via Anchorage, AK. With the addition of this new flight, the volume capacity on UPS’s current Cologne to Dubai flight increases to better serve the needs of customers connecting Europe to the Indian Subcontinent, Middle East and Africa.

About UPS
UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including transporting packages and freight; facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the web at ups.com or pressroom.ups.com and its corporate blog can be found at longitudes.ups.com. To get UPS news direct, follow @UPS_News on Twitter.

BOSTON, – Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, and the University of California, Berkeley’s Transportation Sustainability Research Center (TSRC), today announced that two in five corporate Zipcar members – people who join a car sharing program through an affiliation with an employer – sell or avoid buying a vehicle after joining Zipcar. This was the key finding from TSRC’s case study on the impact of car sharing programs used by businesses, the first and only study to be conducted on this subject.

Twenty percent of all Zipcar for Business members reported that they sold a personally owned car after becoming a member, and another 20 percent avoided buying a car as a result of joining Zipcar through an employer-sponsored account. In total, the Zipcar for Business program has eliminated the need for roughly 33,000 vehicles across North America. The study also found that of those Zipcar members who became zero-car households after joining a car sharing business program, 41 percent take public transit more often, 22 percent bike more often and 41 percent walk more.

This study supports the growing trend toward businesses embracing the sharing economy for transportation and travel. Companies report significant cost savings from the Zipcar for Business program and their employees benefit from quick and easy reservations, locations convenient to work or travel, and the ability to choose from a wide variety of vehicle makes and models. Zipcar for Business is a smart alternative to the high costs of fleet vehicles, fuel and insurance. Customers include companies of all sizes as well as non-profit organizations and government agencies.

“Zipcar’s mission is to enable simple and responsible urban living,” said Zipcar President Kaye Ceille. “Businesses are increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint, and we’re proud that this research supports what we’ve long believed – that Zipcar for Business has many significant environmental benefits for companies, including reducing vehicles on the road.”

The behavioral changes resulting from car sharing among consumer members have been well-documented throughout the years, with consensus that individuals who join car sharing programs sell or avoid buying cars and reduce their overall personal carbon footprint. This is the first time behavioral changes by corporate members have been studied.

“The business and corporate market for car sharing – until now – has not been well researched,” said Susan Shaheen, Ph.D., co-director of the TSRC and adjunct professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. “Applying our team and research expertise to Zipcar’s raw data gives us the first look into how business car sharing members change behavior, and we found that this service yielded reduced car ownership and increased multi-modal behavior, particularly among corporate members that became zero-car households due to business car sharing.”

The findings should be of interest for anyone involved with employee transportation or sustainability initiatives within companies. As employers increasingly look for ways to reduce single-occupancy commutes, either to reduce costs for parking or to comply with commute trip reduction goals set by cities, Zipcar is a key enabler. The Zipcar for Business program gives employees access to a car at the office, without having to drive one to the office. For employers seeking ways to reduce emissions, parking demand or meet sustainability goals, the research shows that offering Zipcar can help. More information about Zipcar for Business is available online at zipcar.com/business.

TSRC independently funded this research study. Zipcar supported the project by sharing data and research instruments with the TSRC/IMR research team. Susan Shaheen, Ph.D. and Adam Stocker led the analysis for UC Berkeley. Elliot Martin, Ph.D. and Isabel Hemerly Viegas de Lima of TSRC/IMR also provided notable support for this research.

Link to “Information Brief: Car sharing for Business – Zipcar Case Study & Impact Analysis:” http://innovativemobility.org/?project=information-brief-carsharing-for-business-zipcar-case-study-impact-analysis

About Zipcar
Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, has operations in urban areas and college campuses throughout Austria, Canada, France, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Zipcar offers more than 50 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to residents and businesses looking for smart, simple and convenient solutions to their urban and campus transportation needs. Zipcar is a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:CAR), a global leader in vehicle rental services. More information is available at www.zipcar.com.

About Transportation Sustainability Research Center
The Transportation Sustainability Research Center (TSRC) was formed in 2006 to combine the research forces of six campus groups at UC Berkeley: the University of California Transportation Center, the University of California Energy Institute, the Institute of Transportation Studies, the Energy and Resources Group, the Center for Global Metropolitan Studies, and the Berkeley Institute of the Environment.

About Innovative Mobility Research
Innovative Mobility Research (IMR) is a group of researchers whose projects explore innovative mobility technologies and services that could improve transportation options, while reducing their negative societal and environmental impacts. IMR contributes critical data and analysis to help mobility providers give consumers optimal solutions to meet their transportation needs. IMR is housed at TSRC and directed by Susan Shaheen.

On Tuesday, Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker joined U.S. and Mexican government leaders in Brownsville, Texas, at a ceremony to inaugurate the West Rail Bypass International Bridge, the first new international rail crossing between the United States and Mexico since 1910.

During her remarks, Secretary Pritzker highlighted the deep and growing commercial partnership between our two countries; the vital importance of the U.S.-Mexico border to our bilateral economic ties; and the need for action to spur North American competitiveness in the increasingly globalized economy of the 21st century.

Secretary Pritzker noted how the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has led to the creation of jobs and opportunity for both U.S. and Mexican communities. Yet, at the same time, our commercial crossings at the border were not modernized after NAFTA came into force, leaving us with infrastructure that was built to handle roughly a quarter of our current trade volume.

To address these challenges and to ensure that our border region remains a staging ground for greater commercial and economic activity long into the future, Secretary Pritzker and her U.S. and Mexican partners have pledged to make the West Rail Bypass only one part of a long-term, concerted effort to replace outdated infrastructure and continue to develop a modern, efficient, and secure border. Because, as the Secretary stated, “we cannot wait another 100 years before we inaugurate the next new bridge or road connecting our countries.”

To that end, we are prioritizing the development and execution of border infrastructure projects as part of the U.S.-Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue (HLED). So far, in addition to the West Rail, we have seen some progress. For example, we have reduced wait times from 3 hours to roughly 30 minutes at the port of entry between San Diego and Tijuana, the busiest land crossing in the world. And we more than doubled the capacity at the Nogales-Mariposa port of entry; now, that facility can handle trucks as many as 4,000 a day – up from about 1,600 – and process up to $35 billion in goods each year.

This is only the beginning. Our focus on infrastructure will continue long into the future, as we seek to advance the vision of the HLED: to support a vibrant, competitive North American economy, and to make it easier for U.S. and Mexican companies to do business together.

Before the West Rail event, Secretary Pritzker met with a delegation of business leaders from Brownsville to discuss how the city can capitalize on its strategic location and leverage Department of Commerce resources to spur new economic growth and opportunities for local workers and families.

WASHINGTON – The final ring of school bells across America means kids are ready for summer fun with family car trips, bike rides with friends and playing on neighborhood streets. With millions of children out of school, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reminding everyone about safety tips to keep kids and everyone else safe this time of year.

“The Department of Transportation wants to make sure children, young people, and their families have wonderful summer experiences and memories, so we are reminding everyone of the simple tips that will help keep them safe,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Whether in the car, riding a bike or walking down the street, they can help prevent thousands of needless deaths and injuries.”

“Summertime is when we should all be more aware of the deadly danger of heatstroke and to never, ever leave a child alone in a vehicle,” added NHTSA Acting Administrator David Friedman. “Even on a mild summer day, the temperatures in a vehicle can rise rapidly to levels high enough to kill a child left in a car, even if the windows are left cracked.”

To prevent deaths and injuries, NHTSA offers the following safety tips:

Heatstroke
Never leave a child alone in a car.
Look before you lock: Make a habit of looking in the vehicle – front and back – before locking the door and walking away.
Remember your precious cargo: Do things that serve as a reminder that a child is in the vehicle, such as placing a phone, purse or briefcase in the back seat to ensure no child is accidentally left in the vehicle, or writing a note to indicate a child is in the car seat.
Act to save a child’s life: If you see a child alone in a vehicle on a warm day, immediately call 911.
A child in distress due to heat should be removed from the vehicle as quickly as possible and rapidly cooled.
Teach children that a vehicle is not a play area, lock car doors and store keys out of a child’s reach.
Pedestrian Safety
When crossing the street, look left-right-left for cars; do not cross if a car is coming; and use a cross walk if they are available.
Teach children to walk, not run, across the street.
Children should cross only with an adult or an older, responsible child.
Teach children to avoid running out from between parked cars.
Use sidewalks whenever possible and, if there is none, walk facing traffic.
Always hold your child’s hand near any moving or parked vehicles.
Bicycle Safety
Always wear a proper fitting helmet and make sure to buckle the chin strap.
Ride on bike paths or on the sidewalk.
If you ride along streets make sure they have low traffic volume and lower speeds.
Always ride in the same direction as traffic, and stop at all stop signs and signals.
Never use headphones or cell phones while riding.
Helmet Safety
An appropriate helmet must be worn whenever a child is “on wheels.” This means bicycles, scooters, skates, rollerblades, skateboards, and more.
Motorcycle helmets save lives, never ride without one.
Driver Safety
Parents should lead by example; have everyone buckle up, every seat, every trip, every time.
Children should always ride in the back seat, secured in a properly installed child safety seat, booster seat or seat belt, appropriate for their height or weight.
Always walk around your vehicle before you get in it and back out of a driveway or parking spot, and check blind spots for children or adults.
Be especially attentive around neighborhoods where children are active.
Be on the lookout for pedestrians, and stop at crosswalks or where pedestrians are crossing.
Be courteous to bicyclists and motorcycle riders. Give full width of a lane at all times.
Always check mirrors and signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic.
Obey traffic lights, signs and posted speed limits.
Never walk, bike or drive impaired or distracted. Focus on the road always.
Road users and everyone needs to share the responsibility of keeping children safe this summer and throughout the year.

For children car seat information and more safety tips, visit Parents Central
Learn more about NHTSA’s “Where’s Baby? Look Before You Lock.” campaign

This is courtesy of www.nhtsa.gov

LONDON, — Nissan Motor Company has chosen The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ), the world’s leading general use car rental brand, to become its exclusive mobility partner. The partnership comes after Nissan was named the new official global automotive sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and related events.

As part of this partnership, Hertz will provide logistical support to help Nissan, the official global automotive sponsor of the tournament, transport executives and officials to and from match stadiums and facilitate related pick-ups.

The agreement means Hertz will supply Nissan with use of the all new Nissan Qashqai 5-seater and the New Nissan X-Trail 5-seater and 7-seater. With approximately 11,555 corporate and licensee locations across 145 countries, dedicated local points of contact and a specific booking hub, Hertz is ideally placed to offer Nissan a service of unparalleled speed and convenience.

Michel Taride, Group President, Hertz International, said: “Hertz’s reputation as a mobility solutions provider has been built on streamlined packages for major sporting events such as The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships for 20 years and the Rugby World Cup in 2013. We are naturally delighted to support a winning Nissan team. We look forward to an action-packed season of football over which we will support Nissan in providing a comprehensive mobility package.”

The partnership with Nissan kicked off in Cardiff on August 12th with the UEFA Super Cup, for which over 70 vehicles were needed. Hertz also supported Nissan in the coordination of executive and VIP transport to the official UEFA Champions League group stage draw on August 28th.
Nissan will be using 4 Hertz vehicles per UEFA Champions League group game, while the final in Berlin on June 6, and other related events will require between 20-160 vehicles. Nissan and Hertz have estimated that a league-topping 400 vehicles will be used throughout the 2014-2015 season alone.

About Hertz
Hertz operates its car rental business through the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly brands from approximately 11,555 corporate and licensee locations in about 145 countries in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand. Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 10,090 corporate and licensee locations in approximately 145 countries. Dollar and Thrifty have approximately 1,400 corporate and franchise locations in approximately 75 countries. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 130 major airports in Europe. 

Product and service initiatives such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, NeverLost®, Carfirmations, Mobile Wi-Fi and unique vehicles offered through the company’s Adrenaline, Dream, Family,  Fun,  Green and Prestige Collections also set Hertz apart from the competition. Additionally, Hertz owns the vehicle leasing and fleet management leader Donlen Corporation, operates the Hertz 24/7 hourly car rental business and sells vehicles through its Rent2Buy program. The company also owns a leading North American equipment rental business, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, which includes Hertz Entertainment Services. More information about the company can be found at www.abouthertz.com.   

About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 244,500 employees globally, Nissan sold almost 5.2 million vehicles and generated revenue of 10.5 trillion yen (USD 105 billion) in fiscal 2013. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment.
For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/

About Nissan in Europe
Nissan has one of the most comprehensive European presences of any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 14,500 staff across locally-based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and sales & marketing operations. Last year Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and Russia produced more than 635,000 vehicles including mini-MPVs, award-winning crossovers, SUVs, commercial vehicles and the Nissan LEAF, the world’s most popular Electric Vehicle with 97% performance satisfaction and 95% of customers willing to recommend the car to friends. Nissan now offers 24 diverse and innovative products for sale in Europe today, and is positioned to become the number one Asian brand in Europe.

Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced an agreement to sell its HERE digital mapping and location services business to a consortium of leading automotive companies, comprising AUDI AG, BMW Group and Daimler AG (the “Consortium”). The transaction values HERE at an enterprise value of EUR 2.8 billion with a normalized level of working capital and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Upon closing, Nokia estimates that it will receive net proceeds of slightly above EUR 2.5 billion, as the purchaser would be compensated for certain defined liabilities of HERE currently expected to be slightly below EUR 300 million as part of the transaction. Nokia expects to book a gain on the sale and a related release of cumulative foreign exchange translation differences totaling approximately EUR 1 billion as a result of the transaction.

In April 2015, Nokia announced a review of strategic options for HERE in light of its proposed combination with Alcatel-Lucent. The announcement of this sale to the Consortium concludes that strategic review process.

Rajeev Suri, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nokia, said: “With this step we complete the latest stage of Nokia’s transformation. We integrated the former Nokia Siemens Networks, divested our Devices & Services business, and have now reached agreement on a transaction for HERE that we believe is the best path forward for our shareholders, as well as the customers and employees of HERE. Going forward, we will focus on our planned combination with Alcatel-Lucent. Once that is complete, Nokia will be a renewed company, with a world-leading network technology and services business, as well as the licensing and innovation engine of Nokia Technologies.”

HERE is developing a location cloud that harnesses the power of data generated by vehicles, devices and infrastructure to deliver real-time, predictive and personalized location services. In the automotive industry, where it serves most of the world’s leading automakers, its focus is on developing precise and accurate mapping as well as services that will enable an entirely new class of driver experiences, including highly automated driving. The company also serves the world’s leading enterprises and Internet players, including Microsoft, Samsung and SAP, and offers highly rated apps to consumers using Android, iOS and Windows Phone.

“I believe today’s announcement is a very good outcome for HERE, its customers and employees. The new ownership structure of HERE will allow us to accelerate our strategy, further scale our business and fulfill our intent to become the leading location cloud company across industries,” said HERE President Sean Fernback.

HERE has been a separate operating and reportable segment for financial reporting purposes for Nokia with a non-IFRS operating profit of EUR 46 million on net sales of EUR 552 million for the first half of 2015, and a non-IFRS operating profit of EUR 31 million on net sales of EUR 971 million for the full year 2014. In reported terms, HERE generated an operating profit of EUR 28 million for the first half of 2015, and an operating loss of EUR 1 241 million for the full year 2014, with the latter including a EUR 1 209 million charge for the impairment of goodwill. At the end of June 2015, HERE had 6 454 employees. Nokia plans to report HERE as a discontinued operation from the third quarter of 2015 onwards. HERE will continue to operate as a business of Nokia until the closing of the transaction.

Upon closing of the HERE transaction, Nokia will consist of two businesses: Nokia Networks and Nokia Technologies. Nokia Networks will continue to be a leading provider of broadband infrastructure software and services. Nokia Technologies will continue to provide advanced technology development and licensing. Nokia’s proposed combination with Alcatel-Lucent is expected to close in the first half of 2016, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, and will create an innovation leader in next generation technology and services for an IP connected world.

Nokia suspended its capital structure optimization program in conjunction with the announcement of the proposed combination with Alcatel-Lucent. As previously stated, Nokia intends to evaluate the resumption of a capital structure optimization program after the closing of the proposed Alcatel-Lucent transaction.

About Nokia
By focusing on the human possibilities of technology, Nokia embraces the connected world to help people thrive. Our three businesses are leaders in their fields: Nokia Networks provides broadband infrastructure, software and services; HERE provides mapping, navigation and location intelligence; and Nokia Technologies provides advanced technology development and licensing. www.nokia.com

About HERE
HERE, a Nokia company, is a leader in navigation, mapping and location experiences. We build high-definition (HD) maps and combine them with cloud technology to enable rich, real-time location experiences in a broad range of connected devices – from smartphones and tablets to wearables and vehicles. To learn more about today’s announcement, visit the HERE 360 blog.

Norfolk Southern and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen today reached a new collective bargaining agreement that continues to link engineer compensation to corporate performance through 2019.

The agreement, which covers approximately 4,600 locomotive engineers, provides engineers with an annual bonus opportunity based on corporate performance and for the first time includes individual incentive opportunities based on personal performance. The agreement also includes changes to improve engineer work scheduling, which will help ensure that NS has a more stable and available workforce while providing employees with more predictable schedules.

“The new agreement builds on our long history of collaborative problem-solving with the BLET, and it will have a positive impact on employees, our customers and the long-term success of the company,” said Norfolk Southern Labor Relations Vice President Scott Weaver. “We thank the BLET for its continued partnership throughout this process.”

About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

Norfolk, Va. – Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) (“the Company”) (“Norfolk Southern”) today announced further details of its strategic plan designed to streamline operations and drive profitability and growth. The Company’s projected expense reduction and disciplined cost control initiatives are in the categories of compensation and benefits, purchased services and rents, materials, and fuel.

The Company expects to achieve annual productivity savings of more than $650 million per year by 2020, growing from an initial $130 million in 2016. With this plan, Norfolk Southern expects to improve consistency, reliability, and availability, resulting in a faster, lower cost, and more profitable railroad. The Company has already begun implementing the plan and expects associated net benefits to begin appearing in Norfolk Southern’s financial results beginning in the first half of 2016.

The strategic plan, which was announced on Dec. 4, 2015, is the result of a six-month, comprehensive evaluation of the Company’s business model, including customer service, network performance efficiency measures, and revenue growth. The evaluation was led by Norfolk Southern’s Chairman, President and CEO James A. Squires with the assistance of the Board of Directors and management team. As a result of these measures, the Company expects to achieve an operating ratio below 70 in 2016 with additional improvements driving OR to less than 65 by 2020, with double digit annual EPS growth, increased ROE and higher return of capital.

Squires said, “Our new leadership team has already taken significant steps to improve financial and operational performance. Specifically, we are focused on delivering high levels of superior service to build a more profitable franchise based on price and volume growth, implementing efficiency measures, and increasing returns, while simultaneously maintaining our commitment to returning substantial capital to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.

“While Norfolk Southern’s fourth-quarter results do not yet reflect the initiatives under way, we believe we have the right strategic plan to streamline operations, accelerate growth, and enhance value for shareholders. The plan leverages our core competencies in customer service and reliability, while also improving network efficiency and consolidating operations. Importantly, through disciplined cost control, we believe we can achieve the productivity savings outlined in this plan, and even more.”

The plan is a balance of revenue growth through pricing and volume, and resource optimization through a variety of expense reduction and cost control initiatives, including:

Compensation and Benefits. Service and efficiency improvements, consolidation, and network rationalization will enable Norfolk Southern to reduce headcount in 2016 and beyond, building on initiatives begun in 2015 to right-size the workforce. This improved productivity is expected to result in $420 million in annual expense savings by 2020. Norfolk Southern expects to:

Reduce headcount by 2,000 employees by 2020.

Decrease overtime by 50 percent from 2015 levels.

Reduce employee levels in areas affected by lower coal traffic and by the rightsizing of the Company’s coal infrastructure.

Consolidate operating regions from three to two.

Halt or reduce operations in several hump or secondary yards in 2016, reducing manpower needs and locomotive fleet requirements and consolidating traffic on fewer, larger trains.

Dispose of or downgrade 1,500 miles of secondary lines by 2020, including 1,000 miles in 2016, as traffic is rerouted onto higher-density lines and some parts of the system are more economically operated in collaboration with short-line rail carriers.

Purchased Services and Rents. Projected efficiency improvements and network rationalization should enable Norfolk Southern to realize annual savings of $70 million by 2020 by reducing the size of the car fleet and associated costs and reducing payments to third parties. Norfolk Southern expects to:

Reduce equipment rental and lease costs, along with maintenance expenses for that equipment.

Reduce the use of third-party switching terminals by leveraging the recently completed expansion of Moorman Yard in Bellevue, Ohio.

Reduce trackage and haulage payments.
Materials. Projected efficiency improvements should enable Norfolk Southern to reduce expenses by $80 million per year by 2020. Norfolk Southern expects to:

Decrease locomotive maintenance expenses by reducing active fleet size by 300 units in 2016 and another 100 units by 2020 through improved velocity, line, yard, and local-switching-network rationalizations.

Reduce overhaul and maintenance expenses and improve locomotive reliability by replacing older, less-reliable units.

Conserve capital while enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the locomotive fleet by continuing the company’s innovative 6-axle rebuild strategy, which includes DC to AC conversions.

Fuel. Projected fuel efficiency initiatives should allow Norfolk Southern to reduce fuel consumption by $80 million per year by 2020 through. Norfolk Southern expects to:

Maximize fuel efficiency through implementation of energy management technology.

Reduce fuel consumption as a result of fewer units in the fleet, removal of the oldest, least efficient units, and higher system velocity.
Fourth Quarter 2015 Earnings
Separately today, Norfolk Southern released its earnings results for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2015.The Company’s earnings release can be found under the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.nscorp.com.

Norfolk Southern will host a telephone conference call and a webcast today at 8:45 AM ET to discuss this announcement and its fourth quarter 2015 earnings results. You may participate in this call by dialing (877) 869-3847 FREE. The live webcast and accompanying presentation slides can be accessed through the Norfolk Southern website, www.nscorp.com.

About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

Norfolk Southern is bringing its Train Your Brain public safety campaign to central and south Georgia to remind people to be safe and alert around railroad tracks and trains.

Billboards, with photos and captions such as “She needs story time” and “Your fan club is waiting,” will remind motorists that their families and loved ones depend on them to return home safely.

“The images are intended to grab drivers’ attention and encourage them to cross tracks safely,” said Cayela Wimberly, Norfolk Southern’s director of grade crossing safety. “Our goal is to save lives by educating people that trying to beat a train across railroad tracks or walking or playing on tracks is potentially deadly and always illegal.”

The billboards are going up this week in communities along the Interstate 75 corridor from Macon to Valdosta. Georgia was selected for this year’s annual campaign because of the high number of deaths and injuries resulting from vehicle-train and trespassing incidents. In 2014 the state ranked fifth-highest in the U.S. in highway-rail grade crossing collisions and 10th highest in trespassing incidents.

brainy-2015-sm
The campaign’s mascot, “Brainy,” a giant wide-eyed pink walking brain, will make appearances at fairs, festivals, and sporting events to remind people to be smart and alert at highway-rail grade crossings and to avoid trespassing on railroad property.

In addition to the billboards, Train Your Brain safety messages will appear on gas pumps and ice chests at convenience stores, in movie theaters, on game tickets at 38 high schools, and on homework folders at 63 public elementary schools. To encourage safe driving habits, rail safety kits will be distributed to 3,600 students enrolled in driver’s education programs at 18 public high schools.

Now in its ninth year, Norfolk Southern’s “Train Your Brain” public safety campaign has run in Alabama, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee, reminding more than 7 million people to make safe decisions around tracks and trains. For more information, visit www.brainysworld.com or www.facebook.com/BrainysWorld.

Norfolk Southern also is a longtime supporter of the national railroad safety awareness organization, Operation Lifesaver, which works in partnership with railroads, law enforcement, and transportation agencies to encourage the public to make safe decisions around tracks and trains.

About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.