Eagan Minnesota June 8 2006 — Transport America a Minnesota-based truckload carrier announced today it is increasing Owner Operator Pay beginning July 1st. Under the new pay plan Owner Operators will earn 92 cents per mile on all miles – loaded and empty. According to Transport America’s President and CEO Mike Paxton “We want our Owner Operators to be successful and we recognize they have seen increases in their costs of doing business. We felt it was important to go ahead and adjust owner operator pay upward in recognition of the increased costs they have been experiencing. The new pay package will allow Transport America’s contractors to see an immediate increase in their weekly take home pay.

Transport America continues to lead the industry in accessorial pay and helps their Owner Operators manage fuel costs by paying an aggressive fuel surcharge which is adjusted weekly. Says Peggy Farra VP Driver Recruitment and Safety “We pass back 100 percent of the fuel surcharge we collect from our customers and unlike some carriers we pay it on all miles – loaded and empty.”

Transport America will phase in the new pay package beginning July 1 by increasing the line haul pay rate to 90 cents per mile. On September 1 2006 that rate will increase to 91 cents per mile and again on November 1 2006 when the guaranteed rate per mile for owner operators will reach 92 cents.

About Transport America
In operation since 1984 Transport America provides a variety of truckload freight carriage and logistics services. Its team of dedicated professionals supported by advanced technology and information systems provides time-definite and other responsive services to customers in the United States and Canada.