More Men Pass L Test: Bus And Train Use Rises

More men than women are passing their driving test in Northern Ireland.

Over the period January 2007 to December 2007, the pass rate for car 'L' driver tests was 51% for males and 41% for females in Northern Ireland - although there is no explanation of why there is such a differential - it was also clear that more people are now using public transport.

There were 19.66 million public bus passenger journeys made during the quarter, a weekly average of 1.51 million.

Also helping to put a smile on the faces of transport company Translink's management, the weekly average rail passenger miles have increased by 10% to 3.71 million from 3.36 million since the corresponding quarter of 2006.

During the same time period, overall weekly average rail passenger receipts rose by 9% to £0.51 million from £0.47 million.

These are among the many facts gleaned from the latest edition of the Northern Ireland Road and Rail Transport Statistics.

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.

Among other key points for the October to December 2007 quarter are that a surprising number of new vehicles were recorded: in fact, there where were 9,349 new cars registered during the quarter - lead by Vauxhall.

Vauxhall was the most popular make of new car during October to December 2007, accounting for 15% (1,426) of all new cars registered.

Of the 797 heavy goods vehicles registered for the first time in Northern Ireland, 63% (503) were previously used (second hand) vehicles.

Green campaigners won't be happy though as from October to December 2007, 205,731 tonnes of petrol and diesel were delivered for use in Northern Ireland.

This represents an increase of 5% on the tonnage delivered during the corresponding quarter in 2006.

See: www.drdni.gov.uk/index/statistics.htm



(BMcC)