Bi-State Motor Carriers Form New Association to Focus On Issues Directly Impacting Truckers Serving Port of New Jersey/New York.

Business Editors

NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 2002

A new organization, established to focus exclusively on issues and interests of truckers who serve international business in the port areas of New Jersey and New York, has been formed effective today.

The Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers (ABSMC), Inc., will be an independent group with its own priorities.

The Association, which has its roots in the 20-year-old Bi-State Harbor Carriers Conference, "will carry an identity and purpose befitting the pressing need for independence," said Jeffrey Alan Bader, President. The group will not be affiliated with the New Jersey Motor Truck Association, as was the Bi-State Conference.

Mr. Bader, who was also president of the Bi-State Harbor Carriers group, made the announcement at the annual golf outing and awards dinner held yesterday at the Forsgate Country Club. "We have been your loyal advocates in the port," he said. "Many of the intermodal service improvements in the region are directly attributable to the effort of our past organization and its members."

He added: "It is clear to the Executive Committee that we must prioritize the interests of our members and we intend to carry this out without distraction." Mr. Bader added that Richard Jones, who had been Executive Director of the Bi-State conference, will assume this position with the new organization. While headquarters will remain at 118 Export Street in the Port Newark area, the phone and fax numbers have been changed.

In addition, Sam Cunninghame, former Executive Director and past President of New Jersey Motor Truck Association, has been retained as lobbyist to represent the new organization's governmental interest in Trenton.

Bader noted that projects pursued, in some cases, required legal action, taken successfully and entirely at Bi-State Conference's expense. "These actions, so important to our members and to the region's intermodal community as a whole, do not fit into the plans and objectives of the NJMTA," he noted.

"Coming together within the new ABSMC ensures that our commitment to protect the rights and interests of the trucking community in the ports will continue to make a difference," said Jeff Bader. "We will maintain our focus on improving the public perception and status of our industry and on achieving our goal of making the NY/NJ ports more user-friendly, productive and competitive."

As Mr. Bader addressed more than 200 people gathered for the event, members of the 16-person Executive Committee of the new association unfurled a new banner and logo announcing its formation.

The port area handles 80% of the world trade for a 10-state, 260-mile radius area. This area represents 34% of the U. S. volume of trade. The port is served by trucking companies who perform more than 12,000 daily pick-ups and deliveries. Members of the Bi-State provide over 80% of those services.

The ABSMC can be reached at 973-466-0014 or by fax at 973-466-0085.