For-hire motor carriers of freight, all carriers

There were an estimated 2,941 for-hire trucking companies based in Canada with annual revenues of $1 million or more in the third quarter of 2002, down from 2,974 carriers in the third quarter of 2001. Operating revenues totalled $5.10 billion, down 5.3% from the third quarter of 2001, and operating expenses reached $4.72 billion, down 5.2%.

Average operating revenues (-4.2%) and expenses (-4.1%) were both down in the third quarter from the third quarter of 2001. Average expenses were at $1.73 million, compared with $1.81 million in the same period in 2001. This decrease was driven by lower payments to owner-operators combined with lower fuel and purchased transportation expenses. However, average costs per carrier were higher for salaries and wages (+1.6%) and depreciation (+6.6%). The operating ratio (operating expenses divided by operating revenues) remained at 0.93.

For-hire trucking transportation revenues from international movements increased 8.4% to more than $1.87 billion, compared with $1.73 billion in the third quarter of 2001. Revenues from outbound movements were up slightly (+1.2%), and revenues from inbound movements increased by more than 15%.

Available on CANSIM: table 403-0002.

Information on methods and data quality available in the Integrated Meta Data Base: survey number 2748.

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.