5/19/04-An Assembly bill would prohibit ports from making a truck tractor wait longer than 30 minutes before beginning loading or off-loading container cargo at a marine terminal.
Under A1483, sponsored by Assemblyman John Wisniewski, D-Middlesex, a terminal operator would be subject to a $250 fine if it made a truck wait longer than 30 minutes, and each delayed truck would be a separate violation.
Terminals attempting to avoid requirements in the bill by diverting a truck to area roadways, alternate staging areas or forcing the truck to wait inside the gate would be subject to a $750 fine.
The bill would exempt terminals that maintain a fully staffed gate two hours before and after peak commuter hours in the morning and afternoon, at least 5 days a week.
It is in the Assembly Transportation Committee.
For bill status, call (609) 292-4840. In New Jersey, call 1-800-792-8630.