BTS Indicators Report shows drop in transportation profits

In its latest monthly Transportation Indicators report, The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) shows that transportation industry profits across all modes declined 13 percent from the second quarter to the third quarter of 2000.

In the for-hire transportation industry, the report shows that 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.

Other trends highlighted in this month’s Transportation Indicators include: a 14 percent decline in inland waterways tonnage from December 1999 to December 2000, a four 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 percent decline in sales of medium and heavy trucks from November 1999 to November 2000 , and a 50 percent rise in jet fuel prices from November 1999 to November 2000.