For-hire truck tonnage was up 0.4% in September, marking the first increase after three consecutive months of decreases, the American Trucking Assns. said. This marks a 1.1% jump over September 2004, but follows a 0.8% decrease in August.
Third quarter tonnage was 0.8% weaker than the previous quarter. However, compare with the same period last year, third quarter tonnage was 0.8% stronger.
Motor carriers had anecdotally reported solid freight levels in September and October.