Trucking Conditions Index falls 2 points in April

   In an exception to its recent upward trend, FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index fell more than two points in April to 5.91.
   FTR said, however, that the environment for carriers remains “very positive,” with rising prices and tight truckload hauling capacity. 
   “FTR expects truck utilization to remain above 98 percent indefinitely with good freight demand, limited capacity, and sustained regulatory drag affecting the sector,” FTR said in a news release. “These conditions continue to push pricing higher with an expected growth of 5 percent or greater during 2014.”
   Jonathan Starks, FTR’s director of transportation analysis, said, “The TCI took a modest hit during April, but is still solidly positive and should stay higher for most of 2014. One of the main reasons for that comes from the pricing environment. Spot rates have leveled off but are still well above levels seen last year at this time. Contract rates, on the other hand, move up and down much slower as new contracts get slowly implemented over time. Trucking looks to be on very solid footing and should continue to show growth throughout 2014.”