For-hire motor carriers of freight, all carriers

There were an estimated 3,333 for-hire trucking companies based in Canada with annual revenues of $1 million or more in the second quarter of 2005, up 4.6% from the same quarter last year.

The operating revenues totalled $6.56 billion, up 4.0% from the second quarter of 2004, while operating expenses reached $6.01 billion, up 3.3% from the same period in 2004. Higher operating expenses were mainly driven by marked increases in fuel (+16%) and maintenance (+13%) costs.

Average operating revenues and expenses per carrier were slightly lower than those reported during the second quarter of 2004. Average operating revenues were $1.97 million, down from $1.98 million. Average expenses were $1.80 million, down from $1.83 million. The operating ratio (operating expenses divided by operating revenues) was unchanged at 0.92.

For-hire trucking transportation revenues from domestic movements increased by 8.9% to $4.21 billion from $3.87 billion during the same period in 2004. In contrast, revenues from international movements decreased to $2.08 billion from $2.23 billion, down 6.8%.

Revisions to the second and third quarter for 2004 are now available on CANSIM. There have been changes to the estimates for these quarters.

Available on CANSIM: table 403-0002.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 2748.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Ron Chrétien (613-951-8774; fax: 613-951-0009; ron.chretien@statcan.gc.ca) or Denis Pilon (613-951-2707; fax: 613-951-0579; denis.pilon@statcan.gc.ca), Transportation Division.