- Freight transportation income and volume experienced significant growth in February 2023, with a 7.7% increase in payload and an 11.5% rise in income compared to February 2022.
- Passenger journeys saw a 12.9% increase in February 2023 compared to the same period the previous year, with rail passenger journeys surging by 60.6%.
- The robust growth in both freight and passenger transportation highlights the importance of investing in efficient and sustainable transport systems to meet the rising demands of the industry.
A recent land transport survey, P7162, conducted by STASSA, revealed a substantial growth in both freight and passenger transportation sectors in February 2023 compared to February 2022. The volume of goods transported increased by 7.7%, with a corresponding income increase of 11.5%.
The report showed a 15.5% rise in freight transportation income in the three months ending February 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. This surge was mainly driven by primary mining and quarrying products (13.4%), ‘other’ freight (21.1%), manufactured food, beverages, and tobacco products (18.2%), and agriculture and forestry primary products (24.2%).
In the same period, seasonally adjusted payload experienced a 2.4% growth compared to the previous three months. Rail freight showed a significant increase of 15.4%, while road freight saw a more modest increase of 0.5%.
As for passenger transportation, the number of journeys increased by 12.9% in February 2023 compared to February 2022, with income rising by 19.1%. In the three months ending February 2023, seasonally adjusted passenger journeys increased by 3.9% compared to the previous three months. Rail passenger journeys skyrocketed by 60.6%, while road passenger journeys experienced a slight decrease of 0.6%.
These figures indicate a robust growth in the transportation sector, with both freight and passenger transport showing increased demand and profitability. The considerable growth in rail freight and passenger journeys highlight the importance of investing in efficient and sustainable transport systems to cater to the rising demands of the industry.
Table 1: Percentage Increase in Freight Transportation Income Contributors
| Category | % Increase | Contribution (Percentage Points) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Mining and Quarrying Products | 13.4% | 4.4 |
| ‘Other’ Freight | 21.1% | 4.1 |
| Manufactured Food, Beverages, and Tobacco Products | 18.2% | 2.2 |
| Agriculture and Forestry Primary Products | 24.2% | 1.8 |
Table 2: Seasonally Adjusted Payload and Passenger Journeys Growth
| Category | % Increase | Contribution (Percentage Points) |
|---|---|---|
| Rail Freight | 15.4% | 2.0 |
| Road Freight | 0.5% | 0.4 |
| Rail Passenger Journeys | 60.6% | 4.5 |
| Road Passenger Journeys | -0.6% | -0.6 |
