Heartland Express Inc. of Coralville, Iowa, said it is implementing a three-cent per mile pay raise for all mileage-based drivers in its fleet.

The increase includes all company drivers, owner-operators, solos and teams. This will move top solo company driver pay from 40 cents to 43 cents, company teams from 40 cents to 43 cents and owner-operator solo and team pay from 85 cents to 88 cents (before their additional fuel stabilization program).
The raise goes into effect in the first quarter of 2004.
It will be implemented as a penny increase on Jan. 3, a penny increase on Jan. 31 and a penny increase Feb. 28. The pay raise is being implemented as one way Heartland intends to manage the income for their drivers as the new hours of service mandate from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration goes into effect Jan. 4th, 2004. Additionally, Heartland is working with its shippers to increase efficiencies and reduce the downtime its drivers may incur. Heartland has also been actively educating and retraining its driving force and the operational departments in an effort to be prepared well in advance of the January date.
"This is an industrywide challenge, and Heartland is in a position to meet this challenge in a number of ways," said Russell Gerdin, founder, president and CEO of Heartland Express. "The driver cannot bear the brunt of this from a financial and a production standpoint. Heartland drivers will move forward instead of backwards so that as a company we can face this change."
John Cosaert, executive vice president and CFO said, "Our strong financial standing puts Heartland in a position to face this industry development head on. We understand that the driver is the key to our company and offering this pay increase is a testament to that fact."
Heartland Express is an irregular route truckload carrier serving customers with primary shipping lane east of the Rocky Mountains. It offers long haul, regional and dedicated services.
For more information about Heartland Express, call (800) 441-4953, or visit www.heartlandexpress.com.