Independent Truckers Struggle With High Diesel Prices

Increasing Gas Prices Leave Independent Truckers Fighting to Break Even

April 25, 2008


By: Ginger Whitaker, NCC News

A year ago, the average diesel cost in New York State was $2.86 . Now, the average price is $4.15. The high cost of diesel has forced thousands of owner-operator truckers out of business. Many truckers can't break even working seven days a week.

Gas Theives

"It roughly costs you $1,300 to fill it...every two days," said Kenneth Coon of A.F.D. Trucking, Inc. The high prices have forced some truckers to resort to a drastic measure - stealing gas by syphoning it out of tanks. Driver Jim Allen thinks he's been a victim of this kind of theft. "I think I have been one time but I'm not sure because I filled up at night and I was like…a tank less than I should have been," said Allen. Even after a long day of driving, Allen said he sleeps lightly in order to hear potential gas theives. "It's kind of hard when it's cold out and you want to run your truck so you can keep warm but you can't hear people stealing your fuel … You buy fuel and somebody steals it from you and you're out more money," said Allen.


Protests Across the Nation
In March, independent truckers held a protest in Pennsylvania and others scattered across the country have followed suit. Many truckers gathered last week for a rally in Fultonville, NY to discuss how to combat rising fuel prices. Assemblyman George Amedore, 105th District, attended the rally to voice his concerns. "You gotta realize these are not truckers, these are entrepreneurs. They are small businessmen who have made a very large investment in a rig, in a truck that brings the products we need every day," said Amedore.



There's been plenty of talk about bigger protests to make their voices heard. Many drivers said everyone needs to come together for a strike to be effective. "I wish that all the truckers, all the companies would get behind them and see something happening at that point...We could shut down the entire country if we would stop working for one hour," said driver Lori Fisher. But surviving truckers who can afford to fill up and who are still on the open road are not commiting to a one hour shutdown. Many just hope things get better...before they completely run out of money.