The Cass Truckload Linehaul Index declined 1.6 percent year over year in July, the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year declines. Analysts at Avondale Partners predict pricing will remain at -3 percent to 1 percent (comparably) for the remainder of 2016.
Several factors continue to contribute to increased capacity, including driver pay increases; newer, more reliable trucks; overall fleet growth; and an easing of the 34-hour restart rule.
The Cass Truckload Linehaul Index is an accurate, timely indicator of market fluctuations in per-mile truckload pricing. The index isolates the linehaul component of full truckload costs from other components such as fuel and accessorials, providing an accurate reflection of trends in baseline truckload prices.