Here are fuel prices in Mexico. http://www.mexicomike.com/database/runner/public/mx_fuel_prices_list.php
Diesel fuel used to be cheap over there. That's why guys from the us would fill up extra tanks risking getting fined for breaking the law as it's illegal to transport Mexican fuel out of the country in tanks other than the vehicle fuel tank.
Yeah that's what I thought. But by looking at that link from camaro68....I am shocked diesel is that expensive.
Landline magazine had an article this a month or so ago. I think it was titled something like The party no one came to. The numbers as of August were less than 50 trucks participating. There article was focused mostly on unbalanced enforcement showing that the Mexican drivers were given less fines for the same infractions as US drivers but also covered how few of them there really were and questioned if they would continue the program after the test period. Another article from June on it can be found at http://www.truckinginfo.com/channel...ross-border-trucking-program-with-mexico.aspx and says that there are only 12 operators with 44 drivers and trucks participating in the program at that time. I agree with Bill, there doesnt seem to be much to worry about from Mexican carriers.
Don't know about how many carriers but I'm certain there are more drivers. The one I'm loading back south has far more than that.
Here's the Mexican carriers with US authority under the pilot program, and at the right you can see their SMS scores too: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/intl-programs/trucking/Trucking-Program.aspx The Mexican government eliminated fuel subsidies and gradually raised them until they are now the same as the US market. Govt was spending too much on subsidies because now about half of the refined gasoline comes in from the US. Lack of refining capacity.
i worked a local construction job. 7 years. with mexicans. according to them. the cost of living is really cheap compared to america. but the wages are also cheap. so i don't know why the mexicans complain about the cheap rates. they come to america. becuase 1 weeks pay up here. is enough to support the whole family for a month down there. then, you also have medical. people go across the border for dental or surgeries. they can buy prescriptions, or have major surgery. and pay cash on the spot. cheaper then it cost just to have insurance in america.
The Landline article was in Octobers edition and gave the numbers reported by the FMCSA as of mid August. It said............ The carriers may have far more drivers then that, but it says only 43 of them are registered in the program and crossing the boarder. There may be more then that now in the program but as that was the total number after 96 weeks of the program running I doubt there are that many more. The FMCSA wanted a lot more participation in the 3 year pilot program to get enough inspections to make concussions on safety performance of the Mexican carriers. I do not see any reason they would under report. Here's the stats right from the FMCSA http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/intl-programs/trucking/Trucking-Program.aspx
I don't like the idea of Mexican carriers operating here and I don't like Canadians operating here either but it is going to happen. I think if a bunch of carriers wanted to do this it would be a very bad thing but I've talked to a few guys while loading produce down on the border and I agree with Bill. Most of these guys have no interest in "stealing" our freight because they already have pretty good gigs just running stuff to the border for transload. What I would worry about is a Swift, England or a Knight type company figuring out a way to buy a Mexican carrier, "train" new drivers, and run them in the US for .12 cents a mile.