Land Transport Trends: Freight Volumes Drop 6.5%, Passenger Journeys Surge 38.1% in April 2024

The volume of goods transported decreased by 6.5% in April 2024 compared to April 2023. Despite this, income from freight transportation only decreased by 0.1% over the same period.

Comparison	April 2024	April 2023	% Change
Volume of Goods Transported	–	–	-6.5%
Freight Income	–	–	-0.1%

Income Growth in Last Three Months

Income from freight transportation increased by 2.1% in the three months ending April 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This growth was driven by several key sectors.

Positive Contributors

Containers contributed 2.1 percentage points, with a 44.2% increase. Primary mining and quarrying products contributed 1.2 percentage points, with a 3.6% increase. Electrical machinery, transport machinery, and equipment rose by 37.4%, contributing 0.7 of a percentage point. Commercial products also grew by 36.4%, contributing 0.7 of a percentage point.

Sector	% Change	Contribution (Percentage Points)
Containers	44.2%	2.1
Primary Mining and Quarrying Products	3.6%	1.2
Electrical Machinery, Transport Machinery and Equipment	37.4%	0.7
Commercial Products	36.4%	0.7

Negative Contributors

Manufactured food, beverages, and tobacco products saw an 18.9% decline, contributing -2.7 percentage points. Agriculture and forestry primary products decreased by 11.7%, contributing -0.8 of a percentage point.

Sector	% Change	Contribution (Percentage Points)
Manufactured Food, Beverages, and Tobacco Products	-18.9%	-2.7
Agriculture and Forestry Primary Products	-11.7%	-0.8

Seasonal Adjustments

Seasonally adjusted payload decreased by 2.5% in the three months ended April 2024 compared to the previous three months. Road freight declined by 3.2%, contributing -2.7 percentage points. Meanwhile, rail freight increased by 1.0%, contributing 0.2 of a percentage point.

Transport Mode	% Change	Contribution (Percentage Points)
Road Freight	-3.2%	-2.7
Rail Freight	1.0%	0.2

Passenger Transportation

Passenger Journey Increase

The number of passenger journeys increased by 38.1% in April 2024 compared to April 2023. Corresponding income also saw a significant rise, increasing by 17.1% over the same period.

Comparison	April 2024	April 2023	% Change
Passenger Journeys	–	–	38.1%
Passenger Income	–	–	17.1%

Seasonal Adjustments in Passenger Journeys

Seasonally adjusted passenger journeys increased by 1.8% in the three months ended April 2024 compared to the previous three months. Rail passenger journeys saw an 8.5% increase, contributing 1.4 percentage points. Road passenger journeys increased by 0.5%, contributing 0.4 of a percentage point.

Transport Mode	% Change	Contribution (Percentage Points)
Rail Passenger Journeys	8.5%	1.4
Road Passenger Journeys	0.5%	0.4

Detailed Analysis of Freight Sectors

The freight sector saw mixed results across various industries. The container sector’s robust performance was a highlight. Containers transported increased by 44.2%, significantly boosting overall income. Primary mining and quarrying products also contributed positively.

However, the decline in manufactured food, beverages, and tobacco products was notable. This sector’s 18.9% decrease had a substantial negative impact. Agriculture and forestry primary products also struggled, with an 11.7% decrease.

Road vs. Rail Freight

Road freight experienced a significant downturn, decreasing by 3.2% in the three months ending April 2024. This decline contributed negatively by 2.7 percentage points. In contrast, rail freight saw a modest increase of 1.0%, contributing positively.

Passenger Transport Dynamics

Passenger transportation showed a strong upward trend. The number of passenger journeys rose sharply by 38.1% in April 2024. This surge in passenger journeys was reflected in a 17.1% increase in income.

Rail vs. Road Passenger Transport

Rail passenger journeys grew by 8.5% in the three months ending April 2024, significantly contributing to the overall increase. Road passenger journeys also saw a rise, but at a slower pace of 0.5%.

Conclusion

The land transport sector in April 2024 presented a mixed picture. Freight transportation volumes declined, but certain sectors showed strong income growth. Passenger transportation, on the other hand, experienced a substantial increase in both journeys and income. The contrast between road and rail transport dynamics highlights differing trends within the sector.