The Cass Truckload Linehaul Index, which measures changes in per-mile truckload linehaul rates, rose 6.7% year-over-year in September and increased 2.4% above the August level.

The newly released report said the same drivers appear to be in force this month, with demand improving and capacity exiting the marketplace at a rapid pace, as this year's contract rate increases are starting to take effect.

“We are not surprised to see our index continue to post mid-to-high single digit gains, and we expect this to continue through fourth quarter of 2014. We continue to expect contract truckload pricing to rise 4& to 6% in 2014, with the higher end looking increasingly likely,” said the investment firm Avondale Partners, which provides analysis of the report.

For the Cass Intermodal Price Index, total intermodal costs rose 2.7% year-over-year in September, but declined from August.

At the same time, consistent with seasonal trends, intermodal costs in September were slightly below the August level, according to the report.

“We now expect intermodal rates to increase at a low single digit pace in 2014 as a tighter truckload environment offers an umbrella for higher pricing,” said Avondale Partners. “We would note that with diesel prices easing in recent weeks that our 'all-in' index could decelerate in the near term, despite indications that base rates are improving.”

The Cass Intermodal Price Index is an indicator of market fluctuations in per-mile U.S. domestic intermodal costs that includes all costs associated with the move, such as linehaul, fuel and accessorials.

The Cass Truckload Linehaul Index is indicator of market changes in per-mile truckload pricing that isolates the linehaul component of full truckload costs from other components, such as fuel and accessorials, providing a reflection of trends in baseline truckload prices.

Data within both are derived from actual freight invoices paid on behalf of Cass Information Systems’ clients, which totaled over $23 billion in 2013.