FedEx Freight rates to rise 5.6 percent

FedEx Freight rates to rise 5.6 percent    FedEx Freight announced a 5.6 percent general rate increase on all of its less-than-truckload services, effective May 16. The heavyweight trucking division said the higher rates were necessitated by higher costs for highway tolls, driver background checks mandated by the government, and purchases of trucks with new, cleaner-burning engines required by the Environmental Protection Agency. The rate increase is in line with recent price changes. FedEx Freight raised its general rate 5.9 percent in June of 2003 and 2004.