Monthly Passenger Bus and Urban Transit Survey (MBUS)

Detailed information for January 2026

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.

• Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
• Description
• Data sources and methodology

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, as well as data by urban transit agency for select transit agencies that have agreed to make this data 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.

• Additional documentation

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) .