Transport statistics show air travel was on the increase

The most recent figures available from the Central Statistics and Research Branch of the Department for Regional Development show that air travel was on the increase prior to the attacks on the US.

The figures included in the publication ‘Northern Ireland Transport Statistics 2000-2001,’ showed that number of people passing through Northern Ireland’s airports reached 4.6 million during 2000 – a five per cent increase on the previous year.

Containing key information on vehicle registrations, driver and vehicle testing, road network, road freight, road injury accidents, public transport and air transport in Northern Ireland, the figures form an important source of information for businesses and organisation in the province.

Some of the other key points for the period are that the number of vehicles on the road in Northern Ireland continued to rise. By the end of 2000 there were 730,730 vehicles registered, a 1 per cent increase on the 1999 figure. The Ford Fiesta continues to be the most popular car in Northern Ireland, followed by the Renault Clio and the Vauxhall Corsa.

The overall pass rate for 'L' driving tests in 2000-01 fell to 52 per cent compared to 56 during the previous year. The statistics reveal that 56 per cent of male drivers passed the test compared with 48 per cent of females. Overall 68 per cent of candidates passed the written theory test for private car drivers during 2000-01. However, the pass rate for females was 74 per cent compared to 64 per cent for males.

Compared with the previous year, the total number of road traffic injury accidents increased by 7 per cent, from 7,827 to 8,361. Over the same period the number of road casualties also rose by 5 per cent from 13,893 to 14,584. The number of deaths occurring as a result of road accidents increased from 150 to 163.

Public transport use declined with the number of passenger journeys recorded by Ulsterbus falling by 3 per cent, while Citybus dropped by 5 per cent.

With 5.9 million rail passenger journeys made this was unchanged from the previous year.

Despite an increased number of cars on the roads there was 10 per cent less petrol delivered in the province – much of this fall is attributed to lower petrol prices in the Republic of Ireland. (SP)