Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Freight Index in Negative Territory

The Freight Transportation Services Index fell 2.5 percent in September from its August level, declining for the second consecutive month, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics

by Staff
November 13, 2008
2 min to read


The Freight Transportation Services Index fell 2.5 percent in September from its August level, declining for the second consecutive month, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics.


The index has dropped 4.3 percent in the past two months, to a level equal to the four-year low set in September 2007.

The big declines of the past two months dropped the freight index into negative territory for the year. For the first nine months of 2008, the index declined 0.3 percent, the fourth consecutive December-to-September decline. The index declined 0.8 percent in the first nine months of 2007 before rebounding in the last quarter to finish the year down 0.1 percent.

The September decline was the fifth largest monthly decline in the last 10 years, while the August decline of 1.9 percent ranked as the eighth largest. They were both exceeded by the March decline of 2.9 percent, the second largest in 10 years and the largest since a 4.1 percent decline in March 2000. At 108.0 in September, the freight TSI has returned to its recent low of 108.0 in September 2007 and is down 4.5 percent from its peak of 113.1 reached in November 2005.

The freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in the output of services provided by the for-hire freight transportation industries. The index consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.

The September 2008 freight TSI level was unchanged from the September 2007 level of 108.0. The last rise in the freight TSI on a September-to-September basis was between September 2004 and September 2005, when the index rose by 0.4 percent.

Despite the losses since 2004, the freight index has increased 3.5 percent in five years and 8.2 percent in 10 years.

The TSI is a seasonally adjusted index that measures changes from the monthly average of the base year of 2000. It includes historic data from 1990 to the present.

More info and data tables: www.bts.gov

More Fleet Management

Illustration with ATRI logo and square blocks spelling out "research"
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeApril 20, 2026

'Beyond Compliance,' Regulations, Driver Coaching on ATRI’s 2026 Research List

The American Transportation Research Institute will examine driver coaching, regulatory impacts — including the "Beyond Compliance" concept —and weather disruptions that shape trucking operations.

Read More →
Brian Antonellis, senior vice president, fleet operations, Fleet Advantage.
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsApril 17, 2026

HDT Q&A: Brian Antonellis on the Growing Need to Replace Old Trucks

Fleet Advantage's Brian Antonellis says it's time for fleets to get back to the fundamentals of good maintenance practices. And that includes replacing older, inefficient equipment.

Read More →
Illustration of computer and mobile screens with load matching software superimposed over photo of an oversize load
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 17, 2026

Truckstop.com Adding to Open Deck, Heavy Haul Offerings

Load matching for flatbed, lowbed, oversize and overweight loads can't be automated like basic van freight, but Truckstop.com is adding more high-tech tools to help.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Trucker Path, Truckstop.com partnership expands.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 14, 2026

Trucker Path, Truckstop.com Expand Load Access Partnership

An expanded Trucker Path and Truckstop.com integration brings more freight opportunities into the TruckLoads app while emphasizing security and network quality.

Read More →
DAT TVI March 2026.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 14, 2026

Truckload Rates Hit Two-Year Highs as Diesel Costs Surge, DAT Says

Strong March freight demand combined with a spike in fuel costs pushed both spot and contract truckload rates to their highest levels in more than two years.

Read More →
Cloud computing concept background with human and robot hands concept
Fleet ManagementApril 14, 2026

The AI Conversation You Need to Have with Your TMS Provider

Everyone’s talking about AI — but is your transportation management system actually built for it?

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Sharp Transportation tractor-trailer
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 14, 2026

Kriska Buys Fellow Canadian Carrier Sharp Transportation Systems

Being part of KTG will allow Sharp to expand and improve its services.

Read More →
Illustration with stacks of money and a shattered car windshield
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeApril 13, 2026

Bill in House Would Raise Minimum Insurance for Motor Carriers to $5 Million

The Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act would increase insurance requirements for interstate motor carriers by nearly seven times.

Read More →
FTR market report for February 2026.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 10, 2026

FTR Trucking Conditions Index Hits Four-Year High in February

Strong freight rates push TCI to 10.2, but FTR expects fuel-price volatility to skew March results.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
C.H. Robinson intermodal.

C.H. Robinson Offers Carriers Relief as Diesel Prices Surge

C.H. Robinson is waiving fees on fuel cards and cash advances for April and May, aiming to help carriers offset rising diesel costs tied to geopolitical instability.

Read More →