Passenger Transport Declines in Railway Sector, Other Modes Rise

Passenger transport in the railway sector experienced a significant decline in the third quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2022. According to data from Monstat, the number of passengers transported by rail dropped by 14.4%. In contrast, other modes of transport, including road, local road, and airport transport, reported modest increases, with road transport rising by 0.2%, local road transport by 2.4%, and airport transport by 9.2%.

The decrease in railway passenger transport highlights a shifting trend in transportation preferences among travelers. This change is underscored by the overall growth in road transport, which has become increasingly popular. The statistics reveal that while railway services are struggling, other sectors are adapting to meet rising demand.

Freight Transport Shows Mixed Results

Freight transport also exhibited a mixed performance in the third quarter when compared to the same period last year. The railway sector saw a decline of 21.6% in freight transport, while airport freight transport fell by 10.1%. Conversely, road freight transport recorded an increase of 1.2%, and total freight traffic through ports rose by 4.1%.

These figures indicate a more favorable outlook for road and port facilities, which continue to gain traction in the freight sector despite the challenges faced by the railway and airport segments.

In terms of registered vehicles, the number of road motor vehicles and trailers reached 88,890 in the third quarter, marking a 2.2% increase from the same period last year. However, the number of newly registered road motor vehicles and trailers fell to 9,480, representing a 7% decline compared to the previous year.

Overall, the transport sector is navigating a complex landscape, with railway services facing notable challenges while road and airport transport continue to thrive. As the industry adapts to evolving trends, the focus will likely remain on improving service delivery in the face of changing consumer preferences.