OTTAWA, Ont. Revenues are not keeping up with expenses for Canadas for-hire motor carriers, the latest quarterly report on the industry from Statistics Canada indicate. <br>
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Canadas estimated 3,346 for-hire carriers saw their revenues rise 7.5% in the second quarter of 2006 compared to the same period the previous year. But their operating expenses rose 8.8% in the second quarter.<br>
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Operating revenues totalled $7.1 billion. Operating expenses reached $6.5 billion. <br>
Average expenses were just under $2 million compared to $1.8 million in the same period in 2005. The increase in expenses was driven essentially by higher payments to owners and operators, combined with smaller increases in other expenses and fuel expenses. <br>
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The operating ratio (operating expenses divided by operating revenues) deteriorated slightly to 0.93 from 0.92 in the second quarter of 2005. <br>
For-hire trucking transportation revenues from domestic movements increased by 9.7% to $4.6 billion from $4.2 billion registered one year ago; revenues from international movements increased by 3.2% to $2.6 billion from $2.1 billion a year ago. <br>
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There were an estimated 3,336 for-hire trucking companies based in Canada with annual revenues of $1 million or more in the second quarter of 2006, almost unchanged from the same quarter in 2005. <br>