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This is an archived release.
Rising costs for the bus industry
The bus industry’s running cost has increased by 13.5 per cent since the first quarter of 2010. Labour costs and fuel costs went up by 15.7 and 17.6 per cent respectively and contributed the most to the increase in total costs.
The cost index for buses is a new index, which is now being published for the first time. The index is a weighted sum of five sub-cost indices for labour costs, fuel costs, capital costs, repair and maintenance costs, and administrative costs. The index series goes back to the first quarter of 2010.
Major increase in labour costs in past year
Labour cost is the largest cost component in the bus industry and accounts for 56 per cent of the total costs. The sub-cost index for wages had been increasing since 2010 and was at 115.7 during the 1st quarter of 2013. This amounted to a combined increase of 15.7 per cent during the last three years. The index went up by 6.1 per cent during the period 1st quarter 2012 to 1st quarter 2013.
Fuel costs increased the most
Fuel cost increased by 17.6 per cent from the 1st quarter of 2010. The index reached its peak during the 1st quarter of 2012, and then gradually declined. The sub-cost index for fuel was 2 per cent lower in the 1st quarter of 2013 compared to the same quarter in 2012.
Volatile capital index
The sub-cost index for capital is a weighted sum of the development in depreciation costs and interest costs related to buses. This sub-cost index is the most volatile index due to the volatility in real interest rates. The index went up 6.5 per cent from the 1st quarter of 2010. The index level was at 106.5 during the 1st quarter of 2013, which is 5.3 per cent lower than the same quarter in 2012.
A steady increase for repair and maintenance costs
The index for repair and maintenance costs had a steady quarterly increase of about 1 per cent throughout the period since the 1st quarter of 2010. The index level was at 111 in the first quarter of 2013.
Administrative costs increased the least
Administrative costs, which went up 5.2 per cent from the 1st quarter of 2010, is the sub-cost index with the least growth record. The index measures cost development of administration-related costs with the exception of labour costs for administrative personnel.
Contact
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Geir Martin Pilskog
E-mail: geir.martin.pilskog@ssb.no
tel.: (+47) 40 81 13 83
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Gudveig Ihlang
E-mail: gudveig.ihlang.braten@ssb.no
tel.: (+47) 40 81 13 85