Trucking industry official warns 1 million truckers needed over next decade to meet demand

From Fox Business. Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, told “Cavuto: Coast to Coast” on Tuesday that over the next decade more than one million truckers will have to join the industry “just to maintain current economic demand.” Spear, who is the head of the nation’s leading organization representing the interests…

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From Fox Business.

Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, told “Cavuto: Coast to Coast” on Tuesday that over the next decade more than one million truckers will have to join the industry “just to maintain current economic demand.”

Spear, who is the head of the nation’s leading organization representing the interests of the trucking industry, acknowledged that there is a trucker shortage and stressed that “aggressive steps” are needed to address the “problem.”

Being drivers needed to deliver fuel to gas stations are in short supply, it could cause a fuel shortage, which could lead to more pain at the pump this summer. It could also lead to increased prices for other essential items.

According to the National Tank Truck Carriers trade group, up to 25% of trucks are parked around the country because there are not enough qualified truck drivers. That number is up 15% from the beginning of last summer.

The demand for drivers took a hit when pandemic-induced lockdowns triggered steep declines in the gasoline market, and drivers opted for other jobs. However, the return to pre-pandemic numbers has been further undermined by unemployment benefits and stimulus checks keeping people away from jumping back into the workforce.

“We came into the pandemic with a shortage of about 61,000 drivers. I’m certain the new numbers when they come out will be a bit more inflated because of the pandemic,” Spear told host Neil Cavuto, adding that as the U.S. exits the pandemic, the “problem” will persist.

See the complete article online at Fox Business.

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