Thursday, 15 January 2009 The latest edition of the Northern Ireland Road and Rail Transport Statistics, containing statistics for July to September 2008, is now available. The publication is produced by the Central Statistics and Research Branch (CSRB) of the Department for Regional Development and contains information on vehicle registrations, use of public transport, deliveries of petrol and diesel for use in Northern Ireland and driver and vehicle tests. The publication is available on the CSRB website at www.drdni.gov.uk/index/statistics.htm

KEY POINTS

The key points for the July to September 2008 quarter are:

There were 12,974 new cars registered during the quarter.

Ford was the most popular make of new car during July to September 2008, accounting for 13% (1,636) of all new cars registered.

Of the 646 heavy goods vehicles registered for the first time in Northern Ireland, 58% (374) were previously used vehicles.

There were 13.68 million public bus passenger journeys made during the quarter, a weekly average of 1.05 million.

The weekly average rail passenger journeys have increased by 12% to 0.19 million from 0.17 million since the corresponding quarter of 2007. During the same time period, weekly average rail passenger receipts rose by 15% to £0.53 million from £0.46 million.

From July to September 2008, 173,435 tonnes of petrol and diesel were delivered for use in Northern Ireland. This represents a decrease of 16% on the tonnage delivered during the corresponding quarter in 2007.

Over the period October 2007 to September 2008, the pass rate for car ‘L’ driver tests was 50% for males and 40% for females in Northern Ireland.

Notes to Editors:

1. Background to Road and Rail Transport Statistics Publication

Road and Rail Transport Statistics is a quarterly publication and contains a variety of transport information. The data are collated from a number of sources including the Driver and Vehicle Agency and Translink.

2. National Statistics

This is a National Statistics publication. You can find further information about National Statistics online.link to external website

3. For further information please contact:

Central Statistics and Research Branch Department for Regional Development Clarence Court 10-18 Adelaide Streetlink to external website Belfast BT2 8GB Tel: 028 9054 0800 Textphone: 028 9054 0642 E-mail: csrb@drdni.gov.uk Fax: 028 9054 0782

More information is also available from the DRD Websitelink to external website

4. Media queries to the Department for Regional Development Press Office, Tel 028 9054 0372. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.