Freight Tonnage Index Rises

October truck tonnage rose 5.7% above year-ago levels, continuing a streak of nearly two years of continuous growth.

The latest report has moved the freight barometer within hailing distance of the record level it hit almost seven years ago, according to American Trucking Associations.

The trade group reported Nov. 22 that its widely watched freight index reached 116.3 last month, continuing the growth pattern that began in December 2009 and pushing the index to its highest level since January. ATA’s index peaked in January 2005 at 121.6.

On a month-to-month basis, tonnage rose 0.5% from September to October, which was less than the 1.6% month-to-month improvement from August to September.

Source: Transport Topics