Freight index increased in June, second quarter

The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 0.6 percent in June from May, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

The TSI, which is based on the amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry, increased for the third consecutive month, according to a BTS press release.

In June, all freight modes grew except for water and rail intermodal, which declined after significant increases in May. Behind the increase is growth in the mining, utility and manufacturing sectors.

The combined growth of 2.2 percent in second-quarter 2016 was the first time the index rose in three consecutive months since December 2014, BTS officials said.

The second-quarter increase was the largest quarterly increase since first-quarter 2013. That followed two quarters of decline and declines in four of the last five quarters.