U.S. rail traffic in May sharply rebounded from the coronavirus pandemic-induced volume trough of last year, according to data from the Association of American Railroads (AAR).
Rail volumes for May totaled nearly 2.12 million carloads and intermodal units, a 28% increase from May 2020. Of that, U.S. railroads originated 964,356 carloads, which was 30.4% higher than a year ago, while intermodal units rose 1.15 million containers and trailers, up 26.2%.
Total carloads in May were the most for any month since October 2019 on a weekly average basis, said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray. He also said intermodal volumes between January and May represented the best period ever for U.S. railroads for that time frame.
