OTTAWA, Ont. — Canadian motor carrier operating revenues for the second quarter of 2007 dropped 2%, compared to the previous quarter, Statistics Canada data released today indicates.

Operating expenses were also down but not to the same degree, dropping 1.5% compared to the same quarter in 2006.

Still, the operating ratio (operating expenses divided by operating revenues) remained unchanged at 0.94.

Operating revenues for carriers earning at least $1 million annually totalled $7.0 billion in the second quarter.. Operating expenses reached $6.6 billion.

Average operating revenues and expenses per carrier were slightly higher than those reported during the second quarter of 2006. Average operating revenues reached $2.0 million, up 0.5%. Average operating expenses were $1.9 million, up 1.0%.

There were an estimated 3,482 for-hire trucking companies based in Canada with annual revenues of $1 million or more in the second quarter of 2007, down from 3,570 carriers in the second quarter of 2006.