Truck tonnage grew 2% in April, according to the American Trucking Associations. It was the first tonnage increase since January.
"April volumes were a step in the right direction after several weaker months," say ATA officials.
Freight dropped 2.9% in March and also was down in February.
"If February and March weren't so weak, the 2% jump in April would have been viewed as stellar," says ATA Vice President and Chief Economist Bob Costello.
"Many carriers have noted an abnormally high start and stop trend in freight recently, with some good weeks followed by a step backward.
"Nevertheless, April was a good sign that truck volumes are improving from the challenging first quarter."
