Press Statement

Preasráiteas

24 November 2021

Go to release: Transport Omnibus 2020

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (24 November 2021) published the Transport Omnibus 2020. The Omnibus presents a comprehensive picture of transport activity in Ireland. The publication is compiled using data published by the Central Statistics Office throughout the year as well as official statistics from other public bodies.

Commenting on the publication, Nele van der Wielen, Statistician, said: “The Transport Omnibus has been complied during the COVID-19 pandemic and shows the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the transport sector. It includes statistics on diverse topics such as vehicle licensing, penalty points, total kilometres driven in 2020, aviation and public transport.

Air passenger data show a substantial fall in passengers handled by Irish airports due to COVID-19 restrictions. A total of 8.3 million passengers passed through Irish airports in 2020, a decrease of 78% compared with 2019.

Compared with 2019, the number of driving tests conducted in 2020 decreased by 53%.

The number of new cars licensed for the first time in 2020 fell by 28,996 vehicles or 26% compared with 2019.

The publication further shows that COVID-19 travel restrictions are reflected in a decrease in kilometres Irish licensed vehicles travelled. In 2020, Irish licensed vehicles travelled, on average, 12,723 kilometres, a decrease of 25% compared with 2019.”

Further commenting on the Transport Omnibus, Nele van der Wielen said: “The results in this publication reflect some of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 situation. 

The overall amount of road freight activity was 11.4 billion tonne-kilometres in 2020, a decrease of 8% compared with 2019. 

In 2020, a total of 11,855 trading vessels (of 100 gross tonnes or more) arrived in Irish ports, a decrease of 9% compared with 2019.”

Further highlights for Editors: 

Vehicles licensing and registrations

• Of the new private cars licensed for the first time in 2020, 94% were in either the A or B CO₂ emission bands.
• During 2020, a total of 198,589 penalty point endorsement notices was issued, an increase of 4% on the previous year.
• Nearly three-quarters (74%) of all penalty point endorsement notices issued in 2020 were for speeding. This compares with 64% in 2019.

Penalty points

• During 2020, a total of 198,589 penalty point endorsement notices was issued, an increase of 4% on the previous year.
• Nearly three-quarters (74%) of all penalty point endorsement notices issued in 2020 were for speeding. This compares with 64% in 2019.

Road traffic Volumes

• Private cars accounted for more than 77% of the total number of licensed vehicles and 72% of the total distance travelled in 2020. On average, each private car travelled 11,803 kilometres in 2020, a decrease of 28% compared with 2019.

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