Earlier this year, I asked readers to name the single biggest challenge facing their transportation company today. The responses were clear and consistent. Four issues stood out above the rest: a lack of real-time performance data, driver recruitment and retention challenges, rising insurance costs and safety risks, and variable costs that were out of control.
This series — You Spoke. We’re Addressing. — dives into each of those challenges. One by one, we’ll explore the root causes, share real-world examples, and offer actionable strategies for leaders ready to respond.
What follows is more than an article — it’s a practical guide. It’s longer than my typical pieces, because variable costs demand detail. Use it as a reference as you sharpen your approach to payroll, maintenance, fuel, and more.
Today, we’re addressing variable costs that are out of control — the kind that quietly drain margins if left unmanaged.
