Daily Express Announces Empty Mile Fuel Surcharge Assistance Program

Carlisle, PA, July 1, 2008 -- Daily Express CEO Todd Long announced today the unveiling of a groundbreaking Empty Mile Fuel Surcharge Assistance program for its Owner Operators. This new program, aimed to help compensate Owner Operators on all of their empty miles, follows in the footsteps of the company’s Premium Loaded Mile Surcharge.

Based on the type of trailer being used, Daily Express’ Empty Mile Fuel Surcharge Assistance program will pay Owner Operators a variable rate from 8 to 49 cents per mile for empty miles with few exceptions (assuming fuel at $4.65/gallon). Daily Express will pay 100% of the empty mile fuel surcharge to the Owner Operator.

“We recognize the financial impact of empty miles on our Owner Operator fleet,” said Long, “and we are taking the necessary measures to protect these drivers during these challenging economic times. Keeping our Owner Operator fleet profitable is essential to the service we provide to our customers all over the country.”

Daily Express’ Premium Loaded Mile Surcharge is currently based on the assumption that diesel fuel should cost no more than $1.10/gallon, with 1 cent per loaded mile paid to the Owner Operator for every 5 cents fuel costs above that limit. With the national average of diesel at $4.65, Daily Express pays a surcharge of 71 cents per mile. For a tractor getting 5.5 mpg, the surcharge essentially reduces its loaded cost per mile to about 21 cents. However, Daily Express has an Owner Operator-friendly wrinkle in its program that no other carrier offers – paying 1.5 to 3 times above the regular surcharge for extreme overweight loads that require additional fuel consumption, which the company is known for hauling. It’s a unique incentive that benefits Daily Express’ Owner Operators.

“We have some of the best drivers in the country right here at Daily Express and we have to take care of them,” Long said. “Daily Express has already had the best fuel surcharge in the business, and it just got better.”

Contact: Erik Thompson Phone: 800-733-2459 ext 2188

"Article: Daily Express' New Empty Mile Fuel Surcharge Initiative"