CRST Pulls Back from OTR Segment as Freight Market Tightens

CRST triggered widespread speculation this week after early reports suggested the company was shutting down its over-the-road (OTR) trucking operations. The headlines spread fast, fueling panic among drivers and chatter across the industry. But updated statements clarified the real situation: CRST is not closing its doors. Instead, the company is scaling back one specific segment, the solo, one-way OTR van division, citing brutal market conditions, low freight rates, and unsustainable operating costs. The move reflects a strategic shift, not a collapse.

Rather than liquidating assets, CRST is redistributing much of the affected fleet into other divisions where demand remains stronger, including dedicated and specialized services. Some drivers and staff may face reassignment as these changes roll out over the coming weeks, though many will be offered roles in other areas of the business. What began as a swirl of alarming rumors has now settled into a clearer picture: CRST is restructuring, tightening operations, and repositioning itself to survive a difficult freight market, not shutting down entirely.