Survey sez? March rates off 2.6%

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — If the Canadian General Freight Index (CGF) is any indication, your rates were lower in March than they were in February.

And that loss eclipsed the rate increase that carriers were able to apply a month earlier.

According to the CGFI numbers released this week, freight costs dropped 2.6 percent in March.

"Base rates, which exclude the impact of fuel surcharges assessed by carriers, decreased by 1.9 percent with average fuel surcharges also decreasing by 4.5 percent from the prior month," according to a statement from Nulogx, the company that issues the monthly freight index.

The CGFI is used by shippers and carriers to benchmark performance, develop business plans, and secure competitive agreements.

The index represents general truck transportation, and excludes bulk, liquid and other specialty transportation services.

Based on the largest database of actual freight costs in Canada, Nulogx claims the CGFI is the most accurate assessment of this important economic indicator available today.

Well, maybe not quite as accurate as your bottom line, but still.