ATA Truck Tonnage Index Surged to Record High in January

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--Feb. 2, 20054, 2005--The American Trucking Associations' advanced seasonally adjusted for-hire Truck Tonnage Index surged 3.4 percent to 116.5 (2000=100) in January, the national association for the trucking industry reported today. At 3.4 percent, January's increase was the largest month-to-month gain in several years. This improvement followed a revised 1.0 percent decrease in December. Compared to January 2004, the index was 6.4 percent higher.

On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the tonnage index fell 2.4 percent from December to January.

"January proved to be a strong month for truck tonnage," said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. "Growing manufacturing production continues to be the driver of truck freight. And, we have seen big gains in heavy commodity movements, like steel, which is another reason why tonnage is growing at a solid pace," he said.

Trucks hauled 9.1 billion tons of freight in 2003, or 68.9 percent of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation. Motor carriers collected $610 billion dollars, or 86.9 percent of total revenue earned by all transport modes.

ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the seventh day of every month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.

The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its fifty affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States.