April 10, 2006 1:30 PM, EDT

FedEx Freight Sets 5.95% Rate Increase, Effective April 24

Carrier Cites Tolls, Fees, Equipment Costs

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edEx Corp.’s less-than-truckload unit, FedEx Freight, said late Friday it will implement a 5.95% general rate increase effective April 24.

Contributing to the increase are rising highway tolls and access fees and “more expensive, environmentally responsible equipment,” Fed Ex said in a statement.

It said that after April 24, the new FedEx Freight base rate and rules tariffs will be available on its Web site.

In December, the company had set a 3.9% rate increase for its FedEx Ground unit for 2006. (Click here for previous coverage.)

The increase will apply to interstate and intrastate traffic and to selected shipments between the United States, Mexico and Canada, FedEx said in a statement.

Additional adjustments will include minimum and accessorial charges in select lanes and service areas, the company said.

FedEx is ranked No. 2 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.