The largest Mexican carrier so far to pass preliminary audits for participation into the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s cross-border trucking pilot program with Mexico is nearing final entrance into the program. The agency, however, has requested public comment on the acceptance of Servicio de Transporte Internacional y Local SA de CV, and the comment period is open until May 13.
The agency announced via the Federal Register this week that the carrier had passed the Pre-Authorization Safety Audit required of carriers entering the program.
If approved, it would be authorized to operate the largest fleet — 20 trucks — so far in the pilot program’s existence. Thirteen drivers would be approved, too.
STIL hauls hazardous materials and is registered with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Agency, FMCSA says.
The agency completed a compliance review on Feb. 15, 2013, because the applicant carrier had CSA scores that caused concern. Five violations were found in the review, including allowing a driver to operate a vehicle before a negative pre-employment controlled substance test result was returned; not maintaining an accident report for three years following an accident; failing to make drivers give them a list of traffic violations every 12 months; failing to require drivers make records of duty status; failing to maintain completed inspection forms for 12 months after inspection dates.
The agency, however, says the violations “did not rise to the level of critical violation” and offered the carrier recommendations on how to rectify the problems.
Comments on the carrier’s application can be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking at regulations.gov; fax (202-493-2251); or mail (Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building, Ground Floor, 12-140, Washington, D.C., 20590.
Submissions must include the docket number FMCSA-2011-0097.
