(Fort Smith, Arkansas, November 1, 1996) -- ABF Freight System, Inc. announced today that its fuel surcharge will remain independent from its base rates. The company does not believe it is equitable to its customers to incorporate the current elevated fuel costs into its long-term prices. The fuel surcharge, currently two percent, is adjusted each Wednesday based upon the U.S. National Average Diesel Fuel Index of the prior Monday.

"ABF is pleased to see that the Department of Energy diesel fuel index announced on October 28 remained constant. This was the first time in thirteen weeks that the index had not climbed. Nevertheless, fuel prices remain at their highest levels since the 1991 Gulf War. We sincerely appreciate the tremendous cooperation of our customers in dealing with these excessive and unforeseen costs," noted David E. Stubblefield, ABF's President and CEO. "We hope that the index, and our fuel costs, will begin to decline in the near future. We look forward to the day when fuel prices return to normal and the fuel surcharge become inapplicable."