US truck tonnage drops in September

by Truck News

ARLINGTON, Va. – US truck tonnage dropped 5.8% in September, according to the American Trucking Associations’ For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index.

The sharp drop came on the heels of a 5% rise in August. Tonnage was down 0.7% compared to September 2015, marking the first year-over-year decline since last October. Year-to-date, tonnage is up 3%.

“Volatility this year continued again in September with the large drop after a significant increase in August,” said ATA chief economist Bob Costello. “The changes we’re seeing in typical seasonal trends are making it difficult to discern any real or clear trend in truck tonnage. Adjusting for the larger ups and downs this year, as well as talking with many fleets, I currently see a softer than normal freight environment, which is likely to continue until the inventory correction is complete. Looking ahead, the slow growth economic environment does not suggest that significantly stronger truck tonnage numbers are in the near term either.”


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*