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In April, the Transportation Services Index (TSI) reached 111.2, a 0.1 percent increase compared with March but 0.3 percent decrease compared with April 2005, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

The index increased for the second-straight month — the first back-to-back rise since October and November 2004, BTS said.

During 2006’s first four months, the TSI rose 0.6 percent compared with the same 2005 period.

April’s Freight TSI of 111.0 decreased 0.5 percent compared with March and 1.3 percent compared with April 2005 — the first April-over-April drop since 2000. However, during the year’s first four months, the index rose 0.1 percent compared with the same 2005 period.

April’s Passenger TSI of 110.5 increased 1.2 percent compared with March — the second consecutive monthly gain — and 1.2 percent compared with April 2005. Through four months, the index rose 0.9 percent.

The TSI is a measure of month-to-month changes in the output of services provided by for-hire transportation industries, including rail, air, truck, inland waterways, pipelines and local transit.