Financial Release

JOHNS CREEK, GA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/30/13 -- Saia, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIA), a leading transportation provider offering multi-regional less-than-truckload (LTL), non-asset truckload and logistics services, today reported improved third quarter 2013 results driven by effective revenue management and operational efficiencies. All prior period share and per share data in this release have been adjusted to reflect the Company's June 2013 three for two stock split.

Third Quarter 2013 Compared to Third Quarter 2012 Results

• Revenues were $293 million, an increase of 5.4 percent
• Operating income increased 34 percent to $21.9 million compared to $16.4 million
• Earnings per share were $0.51 compared to $0.37
• Operating ratio was 92.5 compared to 94.1
• LTL tonnage per workday decreased 0.1 percent as LTL shipments per workday were up 0.6 percent with a 0.7 percent decrease in weight per shipment
• LTL yield was up 3.8 percent

"Saia continues to advance our value proposition in the marketplace through investments in quality and the consistent, superior customer service we provide. These efforts have fueled another quarter of meaningful yield increase which combined with efficiency initiatives led us to a 37% increase in earnings per share," said Saia President and Chief Executive Officer Rick O'Dell.

"The infusion of new equipment into our network and our planned industrial engineering initiatives are continuing to result in cost reductions, particularly in linehaul miles driven and fuel efficiency. The quarter did include increased wage, health care and depreciation expense due to investments in employees, equipment and technology to support customer satisfaction. Saia's dedicated employees provided 98% on-time service for the eighth consecutive quarter and quality initiatives further reduced our cargo claim ratio. I believe the Company's strong balance sheet, effective revenue management and demonstrated operational excellence provide a solid foundation for additional progress as we move forward," O'Dell concluded.

Year to Date 2013 Compared to Year to Date 2012 Results

• Revenues were $859 million compared to $834 million
• Operating income was $59.7 million compared to $48.7 million
• Net income was $35.6 million compared to $26.6 million
• Earnings per share were $1.41 compared to $1.07
• Operating ratio was 93.1 compared to 94.2

Financial Position and Capital Expenditures
Total debt was $91.5 million at September 30, 2013. Net of the Company's $4.1 million cash balance at quarter-end, net debt to total capital was 22.9 percent. This compares to total debt of $81.2 million and net debt to total capital of 24.5 percent in the prior year quarter.

Net capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2013 were $97.7 million. This compares to $79.3 million in the prior year period. The Company is now planning net capital expenditures in 2013 of approximately $115 million. This expenditure includes a significant investment in tractors and trailers to reduce the average age of our fleet and the Company's continued investment in technology.

Conference Call
Management will hold a conference call to discuss quarterly results today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call, please dial 888-417-8533 or 719-457-2085 referencing conference ID #6722348. Callers should dial in five to ten minutes in advance of the conference call. This call will be webcast live via the company web site at www.saiacorp.com. A replay of the call will be offered two hours after the completion of the call through November 5, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The replay will be available by dialing 1-888-203-1112 or 719-457-0820.

Saia, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIA) offers customers a wide range of less-than-truckload, non-asset truckload, expedited and logistics services. With headquarters in Georgia, Saia LTL Freight operates 147 terminals in 34 states. For more information on Saia, Inc. visit the Investor Relations section at www.saiacorp.com.

The Securities and Exchange Commission encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand the future prospects of a company and make informed investment decisions. This news release contains these types of statements, which are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "believe," "should" and similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements reflect the present expectation of future events of our management as of the date of this news release and are subject to a number of important factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. These factors, risks, assumptions and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions including downturns in the business cycle; the creditworthiness of our customers and their ability to pay for services; competitive initiatives and pricing pressures, including in connection with fuel surcharge; the Company's need for capital and uncertainty of the current credit markets; the possibility of defaults under the Company's debt agreements (including violation of financial covenants); possible issuance of equity which would dilute stock ownership; integration risks; indemnification obligations associated with the 2006 sale of Jevic Transportation, Inc.; the effect of litigation including class action lawsuits; cost and availability of qualified drivers, fuel, purchased transportation, real property, revenue equipment and other assets; governmental regulations, including but not limited to Hours of Service, engine emissions, the "Compliance, Safety, Accountability" (CSA) initiative, compliance with legislation requiring companies to evaluate their internal control over financial reporting, changes in interpretation of accounting principles and Homeland Security; dependence on key employees; inclement weather; labor relations, including the adverse impact should a portion of the Company's workforce become unionized; effectiveness of Company-specific performance improvement initiatives; terrorism risks; self-insurance claims and other expense volatility; increased costs as a result of recently enacted healthcare reform legislation and other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC filings. As a result of these and other factors, no assurance can be given as to our future results and achievements. A forward looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances and those future events or circumstances may not occur.

CONTACT:
Saia, Inc.
Melanie Baker
mbaker@saia.com
770.232.4088

Source: Saia, Inc.