Monthly Passenger Bus and Urban Transit Survey (MBUS)

Detailed information for January 2024

Status:

Active

Frequency:

Monthly

Record number:

2745

This survey is conducted by Statistics Canada in order to collect the necessary information to support the Integrated Business Statistics Program. This survey collects data essential for the statistical analysis of the passenger bus industry and its impact on the Canadian economy. Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Data release - March 20, 2024

Description

This survey collects total operating revenues and passenger trip data from the largest urban and intercity passenger transit companies across Canada. Those companies represent at least 75% of provincial revenue for urban transit and intercity bus activity in Canada. These data are intended as a leading indicator of trends in the urban transit sector and are one input to monthly GDP estimates. Aggregate data nationally and by region are available.

Statistical activity

This statistical activity is part of a set of surveys measuring various aspects of activities related to the movement of people and goods. These surveys are grouped as follows:

Transportation by air includes records related to the movement of aircraft, passengers and cargo by air for both Canadian and foreign air carriers operating in Canada as well as the financial and operating characteristics of Canadian air carriers. These data are produced by the Aviation Statistics Centre.

Transportation by rail includes records relating to rail transportation in Canada and between the United States and Canada.

Transportation by road includes records relating to all road transport in Canada. In addition to surveying carriers and owners of registered motor vehicles, certain programs rely on aggregation of provincial and territorial administrative records.

Reference period: Month

Collection period: During the month following the reference month.

Subjects

  • Transportation
  • Transportation by road

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The survey covers the operations of establishments which have urban and/or inter-city transit operations. An establishment is defined as the smallest reporting unit capable of reporting all elements of basic industrial statistics.

Instrument design

The questionnaire collects data on two variables: total operating revenues (excluding subsidies) and total number of passengers (passenger trips).

Sampling

This is a sample survey with a cross-sectional design.

The sampling design of this survey is a stratified cut-off census of business establishments with a cross-sectional design with monthly follow-up. Data are collected for all units whose revenue exceeds the 25th percentile by industry and province. Survey specific fields on the Business Register are used to include targeted business establishments without a main business activity related to passenger bus transit.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents.

Collection is done through an electronic questionnaire.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .

Error detection

Edit rules at the microdata level have been incorporated into the electronic questionnaire to ensure the submitted data are consistent as much as possible at the time of capture. Remaining inconsistencies will be corrected during the edit and imputation process. Other inconsistent data can be identified and corrected manually, after verification with the respondent.

Imputation

Various methods for imputation, such as donor imputation, ratio analysis and trend analysis are utilized. Trends from tax data are also used when applicable.

Estimation

This survey uses the Generalized Estimation System developed at Statistics Canada to produce its domain estimates and quality indicators. It is a SAS-based application for producing estimates for domains of a population based on a sample and auxiliary information. Estimates are computed at several levels of interest, such as the North American Industry Classification System and province, based on the most recent classification information for the statistical entity and the survey reference period.

Population totals are calculated.

Quality evaluation

The subject matter analysts at Statistics Canada examine the data, verify the results, perform coherence analysis, study changes across cycles, and compare the results with other sources/surveys.

Disclosure control

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. If necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.

Data for a specific industry or variable may be suppressed (along with that of a second industry or variable) if the number of enterprises in the population is too low.

Revisions and seasonal adjustment

Monthly estimates are provided for the reference month. The data for previous months are revised if necessary. The data are not seasonally adjusted.

Data accuracy

Quality ratings are derived from the sampling coefficient of variation and imputation rates.

Coverage rates are evaluated after the sampling process.

Report a problem on this page

Is something not working? Is there information outdated? Can't find what you're looking for?

Please contact us and let us know how we can help you.

Privacy notice

Date modified: