U.S. INTERMODAL RAIL TRAFFIC UP 9% IN MAY

U.S. INTERMODAL RAIL TRAFFIC UP 9% IN MAY

   U.S. intermodal rail traffic rose 9.4 percent, while rail carload traffic fell 1.8 percent in May, compared to May 2001, the Association of American Railroads reported.

   “May intermodal traffic volumes represent the strongest year-over-year gain (9.4 percent) in almost five years,” said Craig F. Rockey, vice president of the AAR.

   He said the increase is an indication of the productive alliances railroads have fostered with truck and maritime interests.

   For the first five months of 2002, intermodal traffic totaled 3.8 million trailers and containers, up 3.3 percent. U.S. rail carloadings totaled 7.1 million cars, down 3.1 percent, mainly because coal carloadings have been consistently lower so far this year.