Trucks Hit By Delays Due to Port of Oakland's New Ban

Trucks serving the Port of Oakland were hit by delays Tuesday amid the new ban on old trucks.

According to reports by the Journal of Commerce, the delays were caused by drivers not having the proper paperwork, identification numbers or radio frequency identification tags on their trucks.

The truck ban, which was originally set to take effect Jan. 1, includes drayage trucks with engine year models earlier than 1994. Truck models between 1994 and 2003 must be retrofitted with diesel particulate filters to enter the port.

A few weeks ago, officials announced that Port of Oakland truck drivers would have extra time to meet the rule or apply for $11 million in new funding that was recently announced. The funds will partly pay for more than 1,200 retrofits and more than 100 new trucks serving the port. Truck owners now have until Feb. 16 to secure funding.

The extension applies to about 800 drivers who have applied for grant funding. In addition, those who get financing before Feb. 16 will be able to operate their old trucks at the port until April 30, according to the AP.

The additional Proposition 1B funding will provide $5,000 per truck for 1,216 additional trucks to install particulate matter filters on their rigs, and provide $50,000 for owners of 103 old trucks to purchase newer models.

According to the JOC, similar issues with delays came up when the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach started their clean truck programs.