OTTAWA, Ont. – The numbers of for-hire carriers with annual revenues over $1 million operating in the Canadian market dropped in the second quarter of 2002 as did their revenues, Statistics Canada reported yesterday.

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.

Carrier operating ratio (operating expenses divided by operating revenues) also rose slightly to 0.93. A ratio of 0.94 or lower, arguably, is considered healthy for motor carriers.

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%.

For more information contact Denis Pilon (613-951-2707; fax: 613-951-0579; denis.pilon@statcan.ca), Transportation Division.