Demand, Rates and Operating Costs All Rose in '05

trong freight-hauling demand and tight capacity allowed trucking companies to increase rates in 2005, but much of the income from those higher rates, executives said, was needed to cover rising costs for fuel, drivers and equipment.

Truckers also had to deal with a driver shortage that worsened; increased roadway congestion; and new hours-of-service rules for drivers, including a change to the sleeper-berth rules that may limit team-driver service.

Some companies, however, were unable to endure the cumulative effect of higher fuel costs, increased driver pay, driver shortages and rising operating expenses. More trucking fleets failed in the first nine months of 2005 than in all of 2004.