News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Upper Cumberland Regional Airport’s new fuel truck will be on site in the next few days, just in time to combat a fuel driver shortage.
Airport Manager Dean Selby said there is currently a shortage of freight truck drivers who bring fuel to the airport. Selby said the new truck’s 3,000 gallon capacity will make more fuel available during delays moving fuel across the country.
“Getting drivers to bring it to us, to bring us the whole sale loads is difficult,” Selby said. “It’s taking about a day longer to get it. So having that extra truck on site when we get it here, helps us manage the availability.”
Selby said the airport gets its fuel out of Georgia and Alabama. He said the truck should be ready to roll into service by either Friday or the following Monday.
“I got a call from the manufacturer this week, it’s going to be complete this week, tested the first part of next week,” Selby said. “Shipped by Wednesday and should be here by the end of the week or the first of the following week. That’s going to be a tremendous help right now.”
Selby said fuel sales provide sales tax revenue from clients stopping in the region. Selby said the fuel truck was originally scheduled to arrive at the start of July.
