US truck tonnage continues to improve

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ARLINGTON, Va. — US for-hire truck tonnage rose 1% in May, according to the latest data from the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

May’s tonnage reading was just 1% off an all-time high set in November 2013. Tonnage in May was up 3.4% compared to May 2013, marking the second largest year-over-year increase in 2014.

Year-to-date, tonnage is up 2.9% compared to the same period last year, ATA reports.

“I’m pleased at the direction of freight, highlighted by May’s fourth consecutive gain in tonnage totaling 4.5%,” said ATA chief economist Bob Costello.

“While the year-to-date improvement is running behind last year’s robust 6.3% increase, gains this year are more broad-based. It isn’t just heavy freight for sectors like tank truck and flatbed from energy and housing that are improving this year. Now, generic dry van trailer freight is doing better as well, which wasn’t the case in 2013. This is a good sign for the economy.”

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  • trucking rates are just getting to the point that the companies are looking raising owner-op pay and drivers pay as the goverments in Canada have reduced the # of foreign drivers coming to work here. Three large companies are offering $.45 U.S. a mile on U.S. miles and willing to pay waiting time at $20.00 per mile.