Transport statistics quarterly bulletin published

Weekly rail receipts in the north have risen by 19 per cent according to a new report. This was one of the statistical facts revealed in the latest edition of the NI Road and Rail Transport Statistics Quarterly Bulletin containing statistics for the period 1 January – 31 March 2007.

The publication is produced by the Central Statistics and Research Branch of the Department for Regional Development and contains information on new vehicles and car registrations, light goods and heavy goods registrations, vehicle and driving tests, use of public transport and deliveries of petroleum for use in the north.

Some of the key points for the quarter are highlighted below.

• There were 24,056 new cars registered during the quarter.
• Of all new cars registered for the first time, 2% (547) were imported from the south.
• Of the 1,005 heavy goods vehicles registered for the first time in the north, 68% (680) were previously used vehicles.
• There were 17.7million public bus passenger journeys made during the quarter, a weekly average of 1.36million.
• The weekly average rail passenger receipts rose by 19% to £0.43million from £0.36 million. Weekly average rail passenger miles have increased to 3.03million from 2.94 million since the corresponding quarter of 2006.
• From January to March 2007, 197,913 tonnes of petroleum were delivered for use in the north. This represents an increase of almost 2% on the tonnage delivered during the corresponding quarter in 2006.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Copies of the Road and Rail Transport Statistics Bulletin are available (free of charge) from:

Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, 02890 540372.