The Impact of 1994’s Further Deregulation of the Trucking Industry: The Rural Shippers’ View

This paper focuses on the perceived impact of two legislative changes (elimination of tariffs and intrastate deregulation) affecting the trucking industry that were signed by President Clinton in August of 1994. These legislative changes are generally seen as a completion of the 1980 Motor Carrier Act that deregulated interstate truck freight. Two surveys were conducted with a similar sample, one in the fall of 1994 and another in the fall of 1997 to determine the impact of this further deregulation on rural shippers. The results suggest that the impact on freight costs, service, and safety is viewed as being very positive. Deregulation permits carriers greater flexibility in meeting shippers needs, thus contributing in a positive way to achieving supply chain management goals.