BTS Indicators Report Shows Drop in Transportation Profits

Contact BTS 03-01 David Smallen 202-366-5568

Wednesday, January 31, 2001 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today released its monthly Transportation Indicators report showing that transportation industry profits across all modes declined 13 percent from the second quarter to the third quarter of 2000.

The report, the fifth in the Transportation Indicators series, shows that in the for-hire transportation industry, the drop in profits took place at the same time income was rising, although at a much slower rate than in the previous quarter. The for-hire transportation industry includes all companies providing transportation and related services to the public or businesses for a fee.

This information is part of the monthly update of critical transportation information that details the impact of transportation on the nation’s economy and society.

Dr. Ashish Sen, BTS Director, said, "BTS is leading the effort to gather information on the impact of transportation on the nation’s economy. We are providing information on a regular basis to help decision makers in the private and public sectors make educated policy decisions about the transportation industry."

Transportation Indicators provides information on more than 60 trends in the areas of safety, mobility, economic growth, the human and natural environment, and national security. The monthly report, which is available at www.bts.gov, provides information to address specific transportation issues and to assist in the effort led by BTS to make transportation information more accurate, reliable, and timely.

Other trends highlighted in this month’s Transportation Indicators include:

• the highest percentage of delayed, diverted and canceled scheduled airline flights for the month of November for any November for the 13-year period for which data are available
• a 9 percent increase in light rail ridership from September 1999 to September 2000
• a 14 percent decline in inland waterways tonnage from December 1999 to December 2000
• a 4 percent rise in consumer prices for transportation from December 1999 to December 2000
• Monthly declines in public expenditures on construction of highways and streets in both October and November 2000, even using seasonally adjusted data
• a 30 per cent decline in sales of medium and heavy trucks from November 1999 to November 2000
• a 50 percent rise in jet fuel prices from November 1999 to November 2000.

Continual updating of information on trends will help in developing forecasts for the future, both within the department and outside. The monthly report will also help transportation decision-makers spot changes that might require rapid action. Updated reports will be available the fourth week of every month.