Roehl Transport, a firm that operates van, curtainside and flatbed divisions with service throughout the U.S. and Canada, has announced an additional 1- to 3-cent increase in its mileage rate plus increased intermediate stop pay for its owner-operators.

The increases, which go into effect Feb. 4, will add $2,200 to $2,500 or more to Roehl independent contractors’ annual incomes. "Without a rate increase to help offset the impact on driver earnings, the new hours of service regulations could cost drivers 3 to 4% of their income," said Bob Rader, Roehl executive vice president. "We didn’t think that was fair and took steps to protect the owner-operators who contract with us."
The mileage rate hike was just one of the steps the company took to protect its independent contractors in the face of HOS. Rader said Roehl’s mileage rates, expense reimbursement plan and business package have traditionally provided owner-operator incomes above the industry average for independent contractors. As a result, Roehl contractors were in a stronger position when the new HOS rules went into effect.
"This recent increase in our compensation plan maintains that income advantage," Rader said.
Roehl has also continued to work closely with shippers to reduce driver downtime with more drop and hook loads and fewer intermediate stops. "We’ve been very successful in optimizing actual driving time so that more of the operational time under the new HOS rules is spent racking up miles and building the contractors’ compensation checks," Rader added.
Independent contractors can choose national or regional fleets. For more information, call (800) 535-8190, or visit www.roehl.net.