At a time when the trucking industry is wrestling with a shortage of safe and secure truck parking, one major U.S. city looks to tell drivers to park elsewhere. This has one organization representing that state's carriers and drivers voicing its objections.
The Minnesota Trucking Association Monday, June 21, said it opposes the truck parking ban proposed by the City of Minneapolis. An ordinance regulating truck parking in this city of more than 420,000 people will be heard by the Transportation and Public Works Committee Wednesday, June 23 at 1:30 p.m..
MTA President John Hausladen said in a written statement, “The Minnesota Trucking Association strongly opposes the truck parking ban under consideration by the City of Minneapolis. If approved, this ban would force truck drivers to park outside of the city, which would impede on-time deliveries and disrupt daily commerce.
“Many of the trucks parked overnight are owned by independent contractors who live in Minneapolis. These small businesses, many of whom are minority owned, would have no viable alternative for overnight parking. This ban could effectively force many of these hard-working residents to choose between their livelihood and the place they call home. With an existing truck driver shortage we simply cannot afford to have qualified drivers leave the industry.
“We should be looking for ways to provide more safe parking for truck drivers, instead of pursuing a policy that would diminish an essential industry and do real economic harm to the city. We call on the Minneapolis City Council to craft a fundamentally fair policy that balances parking management concerns with the essential services truck drivers provide. We would welcome the opportunity to work with Minneapolis leaders to develop a smart solution.”
- 96.5% of manufactured tonnage is transported by trucks in Minnesota.
- 21,560 trucking companies are located in Minnesota, primarily small and locally-owned.
- Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers hold 35,150 jobs with an average salary of $50,200.
The MTA urges its member fleets and their drivers to testify at the hearing.
The ban says all vehicles that weigh or have a carrying capacity over 26,000 pounds are prohibited from parking on any street unless one of the following criteria is met:
- They’re actively engaged in loading, unloading, or providing a service
- They’re stopped or parked at the direction of a police officer or traffic control agent
- They’re in a zone with signage authorizing parking vehicles of increased weights
Citations for violation of this ordinance can be attributed to either the driver, lessee, or owner of the vehicle, according to the MTA. The fine for violation of this ordinance will initially be $100 through Dec. 31, 2022. Thereafter the fine will be $250.
The current weight limit for vehicles parking in residential zoning districts is increased from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds to better align with modern vehicles.
