Truck Tonnage Decreased 2.6% In February Reports ATA

by Jake Tully - Published: 3/20/2018

According to the advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index reported by the American Trucking Associations, the association reports that truck tonnage has fallen in February 2018.

Despite a rise in SA For-Hire Truck Tonnage of 1.6% in January, the ATA reports that the tonnage index is still reported 5.7% higher than it was in February 2017.

Chief Economist for the ATA Bob Costello reports that freight is expected to grow over the next few months and still indicates a strong 2018 for freight overall.

"Despite a softer February than January, freight remains robust as exhibited in the year-over-year increase," said Costello. "The drivers of truck freight – personal consumption, factory output and construction – are good, plus the inventory cycle is in favor of motor carriers, so I expect freight tonnage to grow at a decent pace in the months ahead."

The ATA reports that the index not adjusted for seasons, representing tonnage hauled by fleets before any adjustments for seasons are made in February shows a decrease of 6.7% below freight tonnage in January.