To me, the question still stands: if people refuse to pay more for the service, then in what sense is there a shortage of the service?
Can you expand on what you mean by "supply side economics breaking down"?
Can you expand on what you mean by "supply side economics breaking down"?
Owning a truck is a lot of maintenance - insurance, parking costs, etc. A lot of owners also have to pay lease, loans, etc. They can't afford to negotiate for better rates.
Just because there isn't a lot of supply doesn't mean that rates go up!
If the people hiring these independent trucks can afford not to pay more, because they know someone else will take the lower rate, then there isn't a shortage. This could just about be the definition of whether or not there is a "shortage".