3rd Mexican carrier cleared for demo project

Transportes Padilla is the third Mexican trucking company to receive authority to make long-haul deliveries in the U.S.

The Trucker News Services

9/24/2007

WASHINGTON – Transportes Padilla, a Tijuana-based trucking company, is the third Mexican trucking company to receive authority to make long-haul deliveries in the U.S. as part of the cross-border trucking demonstration project, a Department of Transportation statement released late Monday afternoon said.

The company intends to operate three vehicles. 

In the statement, FMCSA Administrator John Hill said, “Mexican trucking companies, vehicles and drivers are meeting or exceeding the tough standards in place for this program – as well as those in place for U.S. truckers – to maintain safety on American roads.

“Under the demonstration project, companies and consumers from both countries are benefiting from new markets and more efficient trade across our shared border.”

The release went on to say that “every day, thousands of Mexican commercial trucks make short-haul deliveries into border commercial zones, which extend approximately 20 to 25 miles into the United States. Last year, these trucks made more than 4 million crossings into U.S. cities like San Diego and El Paso.”

Despite several lawsuits and congressional legislation attempting to block the program, FMCSA is progressing with its cross-border trucking demonstration project that would expand current border operations to allow up to 100 U.S. trucking companies to operate in Mexico and up to 100 Mexican trucking companies to operate beyond commercial zones in the United States.

“Every company, vehicle and driver participating in the program must pass a rigorous safety audit and inspection before being allowed to participate in the demonstration project,” stated the DOT release.  “Checks on Mexican companies, vehicles and drivers are identical to, and in some instances more stringent, than those of their U.S. counterparts.”

For a list of U.S. and Mexico trucking companies that have received authority to participate in the cross-border trucking demonstration project, click here: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/cross-border/cross-border-carriers.htm.