Transportation Index Down 0.2% in June

The Freight Transportation Services Index declined  0.2 percent in June from May’s level of 136.9

It was the second consecutive month the index has fallen said the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

The index is based on the amount of goods carried by the for-hire freight transportation industry. On a year-over-year basis, the Freight TSI rose 5.6 percent.

BTS said in a news release that June’s index decreased on a month-over-month basis due to seasonally-adjusted decreases in rail carloads, rail intermodal volume and trucking shipments despite growth in water, air freight and pipeline transportation.

The June decrease took place against a background of growth for other indicators from May to June.

The May passenger index, which was recently released, showed an increase of 11.4 percent from April’s level. Rail, transit and air ridership all grew, BTS officials said.

DOT Freight Transportation Services Index Up in August

The U.S. Department of Transportation freight transportation services index in August hit a record 140.6 in August, up 4.1 percent from the index in August 2018.

DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics  said the previous record was 138.8 in November 2018.

The index is based on the amount of freight carried by for-hire transportation entities.

“The August Freight TSI increase was broad-based, with increases in all sectors except the rail components — carloads and intermodal,” BTS officials said in a news release. The TSI increase took place against a background of mixed results for other indicators.”

BTS officials noted that the Federal Reserve Board Industrial Production Index grew in August, with increases in mining, manufacturing and utilities. Personal income increased by 0.4 percent, while housing starts grew by 12.3 percent.

The Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing Index fell 2.1 points to 49.1, indicating contraction in the manufacturing sector.

Year to date, the for-hire freight shipments measured by the index were up 3.2 percent in August, compared to the index at 2018’s end.

Freight Index Set Record in October

The U.S. Department of Transportation said that its Freight Transportation Services Index hit a record 129.2 in October, breaking the previous record of 129 set last August.

DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics said the freight TSI inched up 0.6 from September’s level and climbed 5.3 percent from October 2016’s mark.

The index measures month-to-month changes in shipments moved by rail, truck, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.

“Significant increases in trucking, rail carloads, rail intermodal and water led the October increase  . . .  while air freight declined and pipeline was stable,” BTS officials said in a news release.

October marked the index’s third record level during a four-month period and fourth record in six months.

The bureau said that from August to November the Freight TSI achieved its four highest levels ever attained.

The passenger TSI in October fell 4.2 percent from September’s level to 122.3. On a year-over-year basis, the index dropped 1.2 percent.

The passenger TSI measures month-to-month changes in travel via intercity rail, air and local transit modes.

The combined freight and passenger TSI of 127.1 in October dipped 0.9 percent from September’s level but rose 3.2 percent from October 2016’s mark.

DOT Freight Index Set Record in May

The U.S. Department of Transportation said last week that its Freight Transportation Services Index was a record 126.8 in May, besting the previous best of 126.0 set in February 2017.

The index is based on the amount of freight carried by for-hire transportation entities and it increased by 2.2 percent from April.

The Freight TSI registered its largest month-over-month gain since it rose 2.9 percent from November to December 2011, DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics said.

“The May increase was broad-based, with gains in most modes, especially water and pipeline, while air freight and trucking were stable,” BTS officials said in a statement. “The increase took place despite mixed performance in other indicators in May.”

The Freight TSI increased 1.8 percent in May compared with the same period in 2016.

The Passenger TSI, which is based on month-to-month changes in travel provided by air, local transit and intercity rail services, fell 0.2 percent in May.

However, the Passenger TSI index of 126.7 was a 1.4 percent increase from May 2016.

May’s combined TSI of 126.7 was a 1.4 percent increase from April 2017 and a 3.3 percent from May 2016.