Seasonally adjusted for-hire truck tonnage decreased 2.2% in April compared with March, according to the American Trucking Assns. (ATA). Compared with April 2006, this marked a 2.7% slide.

“April’s tonnage figures highlight that the economy hasn’t turned the corner just yet,” stated ATA chief economist Bob Costello. “We can expect this volatility to continue over the next few months, with the potential for more year-over-year contractions.”

Costello expects freight volumes will improve gradually as the economy works its way through an inventory correction and a positive economic outlook for 2008.