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.

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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.