For-hire motor carriers of freight, all carriers

There were an estimated 2,889 for-hire trucking companies based in Canada with annual revenues of $1 million or more in the second quarter of 2002, down from 2,946 carriers in the second quarter of 2001. Operating revenues totalled $5.03 billion and operating expenses reached $4.66 billion, down 6.2% and 5.8% respectively from the second quarter of 2001.

Average operating revenues (-4.4%) and expenses (+3.9%) were both down from the second quarter of 2001. Average expenses were at $1.74 million compared with $1.82 million in the second quarter of 2001. The decrease was driven by lower payments to owner-operators combined with lower purchased transportation and other expenses. However, average costs per carrier were higher for salaries and wages (+6.4%). The operating ratio (operating expenses divided by operating revenues) rose slightly to 0.93.

For-hire trucking transportation revenues from international movements increased 4.5% to more than $1.81 billion from $1.73 billion in the second quarter of 2001. Revenues from outbound movements were down 1.0%, but revenues from inbound movements increased by more than 10%.

Available on CANSIM: table 403-0002.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Denis Pilon (613-951-2707; fax: 613-951-0579; denis.pilon@statcan.gc.ca), Transportation Division.