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The Transportation Services Index (TSI) registered a small gain in May, rising 0.1 percent compared with April to 110.8, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. However, the index declined 1.6 percent compared with May 2006.

Through 2007’s first five months, the index — a measure of month-to-month changes in the output of services provided by for-hire transportation industries, including rail, truck and air — is up 0.9 percent year over year.

May’s Freight TSI reached 109.7, a 0.1 percent increase from April’s level and the index’s fourth gain in the past six months.

On a year-over-year basis, the Freight TSI dropped 3 percent, but through five months, the index is up 0.8 percent compared with the same 2006 period. The Freight TSI measures month-to-month changes in the output of services provided by for-hire railroads, truckers, airlines, inland water carriers and pipelines.

Meanwhile, the Passenger TSI in May climbed to 115.5, a 0.2 percent increase compared with April level’s. The gain represented the index’s third-straight — but smallest — month-over-month rise.

The Passenger TSI also increased 2.9 percent compared with May 2006 and rose 1.2 percent during the year’s first five months. The index measures month-to-month changes in the output of services provided by for-hire passenger transportation industries, including intercity rail and local transit.