In 2025, ground transportation is juggling higher demand with tighter margins, and the operational numbers reflect that pressure in a way spreadsheets often hide. From route level utilization to on time performance and fleet costs, the dataset shows how quickly “normal” service levels can swing. We pulled the latest figures together to highlight the patterns behind those shifts.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, US trucks moved 10.47 billion tons of freight, representing 72.5% of domestic tonnage
- In 2023, the global road freight transportation market was valued at approximately USD 2.8 trillion, accounting for over 70% of total ground transport revenue
- In 2023, US airlines carried 958 million passengers on domestic flights, but ground transport handled 85% of last-mile connectivity
- In 2022, there were 5,887 fatal crashes involving large trucks in the US, resulting in 7,000 deaths
- Ground transport CO2 emissions totaled 6.5 Gt in 2023, 15% of global total
Ground transportation demand kept rising, highlighting steady growth and sustained investment across the industry.
Related reading
- Transportation LogisticsTop 10 Best Transportation Optimization Software of 2026
- Transportation LogisticsTop 10 Best Small Trucking Company Software of 2026
- Transportation LogisticsTop 10 Best Third Party Logistics Software of 2026
- Transportation LogisticsTop 10 Best Medical Transportation Software of 2026
01 · Category
Freight Volume and Logistics26 stats
01
In 2022, US trucks moved 10.47 billion tons of freight, representing 72.5% of domestic tonnage
02
Global road freight volume reached 15 trillion ton-km in 2023
03
China's rail freight hit 4.4 billion tons in 2023, up 5.5% YoY
04
EU road freight transported 1.9 trillion ton-km in 2022
05
India's national highways carried 70% of freight volume, totaling 5 billion tons in FY2023
06
US rail freight volume was 1.5 trillion ton-miles in 2023
07
Brazil's rail freight 300 million tons in 2023, dominated by soy and iron ore
08
Australia's road freight 300 billion ton-km annually
09
Russia's rail freight 1.3 billion tons in 2023
10
Canada's truck freight 450 billion ton-km in 2022
11
Germany's road freight 350 billion ton-km in 2022
12
Mexico's freight rail 120 million tons in 2023
13
South Africa's Transnet rail freight 200 million tons in 2023
14
France's road freight 300 billion ton-km, rail 50 billion in 2022
15
Japan's truck freight 400 billion ton-km in FY2023
16
Turkey's rail freight 40 million tons in 2023
17
Poland's freight rail 100 million tons in 2023
18
Indonesia's road freight dominates 85% of 1.2 billion tons total
19
Sweden's road freight 70 billion ton-km in 2023
20
Global container trucking volume 200 million TEU in 2023
21
UK road freight 100 billion ton-km in 2022
22
Italy's freight rail 20 million tons in 2023
23
Spain's road freight 250 billion ton-km annually
24
Thailand's truck freight 500 million tons in 2023
25
US intermodal freight volume 25 million containers and trailers in 2023
26
Netherlands' inland freight 600 million tons in 2022, mostly road and rail
Interpretation
Freight Volume and Logistics Interpretation
While the world marvels at digital clouds, the real workhorse of global commerce remains stubbornly terrestrial, trundling along asphalt and iron veins—from American semis hauling 72 cents of every domestic ton to China's rail moving billions more and Europe's relentless trucks—proving that for all our advancements, the economy still quite literally rides on the back of a very old-fashioned beast.
02 · Category
Market Size and Revenue30 stats
01
In 2023, the global road freight transportation market was valued at approximately USD 2.8 trillion, accounting for over 70% of total ground transport revenue
02
US trucking industry generated $940.8 billion in revenue in 2022, with for-hire carriers contributing 75% of that total
03
The European rail freight market reached €28.5 billion in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2018-2022
04
India's road passenger transport sector revenue hit INR 1.2 lakh crore in FY2023, driven by 15% YoY growth in bus operations
05
Global bus transportation market size stood at USD 180 billion in 2023, projected to reach USD 250 billion by 2030 at 4.8% CAGR
06
US public transit revenue from fares was $12.5 billion in 2022, recovering 45% from pre-pandemic levels
07
China's high-speed rail network generated CNY 500 billion in passenger revenue in 2023
08
Global ridesharing market valued at $115 billion in 2023, with Uber and Lyft holding 65% US market share
09
UK road haulage industry turnover was £28 billion in 2022, employing 400,000 drivers
10
Brazil's freight rail market size was BRL 25 billion in 2023, with iron ore accounting for 60% of volume
11
Australian trucking sector revenue reached AUD 70 billion in FY2023, up 8% from previous year
12
Global taxi market size estimated at USD 250 billion in 2023, growing at 7.5% CAGR to 2030
13
Japan's rail passenger revenue was JPY 2.5 trillion in FY2023, with Shinkansen contributing 40%
14
US school bus transportation market valued at $8.2 billion in 2023
15
Germany's freight road transport revenue hit €90 billion in 2022
16
South Korea's urban rail transit revenue reached KRW 10 trillion in 2023
17
Global logistics market for ground transport was $4.5 trillion in 2023
18
Canada's trucking industry revenue was CAD 100 billion in 2022
19
Mexico's bus passenger market generated MXN 150 billion in 2023
20
France's rail freight revenue stood at €6.5 billion in 2022
21
Global electric bus market revenue $20 billion in 2023
22
Italy's road freight turnover €45 billion in 2022
23
Turkey's public transport revenue TL 100 billion in 2023
24
Spain's high-speed rail AVE generated €1.8 billion in 2023
25
Global truck leasing market $35 billion in 2023
26
Netherlands freight rail revenue €4.2 billion in 2022
27
Argentina's road freight market ARS 2 trillion in 2023
28
Sweden's bus market SEK 20 billion in 2023
29
Global autonomous vehicle ground transport market projected $400 billion by 2035
30
US limousine and car service revenue $15 billion in 2023
Interpretation
Market Size and Revenue Interpretation
While trucks rule a $2.8 trillion global freight empire and rails quietly build their own substantial kingdoms, the wheels of passenger transit—from humble buses to soaring high-speed trains and ubiquitous rideshares—collectively reveal a planet in restless, revenue-generating motion, constantly seeking a better lane.
03 · Category
Passenger Volume and Usage30 stats
01
In 2023, US airlines carried 958 million passengers on domestic flights, but ground transport handled 85% of last-mile connectivity
02
Global bus passengers totaled 45 billion in 2023, with Asia accounting for 70%
03
India's roadways transported 1.5 billion passengers in FY2023 via state buses
04
US public transit ridership reached 9.3 billion trips in 2023, up 20% from 2022
05
China's rail network carried 3.9 billion passengers in 2023
06
Uber completed 9.4 billion trips worldwide in 2023
07
EU bus and coach passengers numbered 80 billion km in 2022
08
Japan's commuter rail daily ridership averaged 20 million in 2023
09
Brazil's urban bus systems carried 12 billion passengers annually pre-pandemic, stabilizing at 10 billion in 2023
10
UK rail passengers totaled 1.6 billion in 2023/24
11
Mexico City Metro ridership hit 1.5 billion in 2023
12
Global taxi trips estimated at 25 billion in 2023
13
Australia's public transport patronage 2.5 billion trips in 2023
14
France's SNCF TER regional trains carried 500 million passengers in 2023
15
South Africa's Gautrain daily passengers averaged 20,000 in 2023, yearly total 7 million
16
Canada's GO Transit carried 50 million riders in 2023
17
Germany's DB Regio local transport 2 billion passengers in 2023
18
Turkey's Istanbul Metro 600 million passengers in 2023
19
Spain's Cercanías commuter rail 400 million trips in 2023
20
Italy's Trenitalia regional services 300 million passengers in 2023
21
Thailand's BTS Skytrain 150 million riders in 2023
22
Egypt's Cairo Metro 500 million passengers annually in 2023
23
Poland's rail passengers 300 million in 2023
24
Indonesia's TransJakarta busway 250 million passengers in 2023
25
Russia's Moscow Metro 2.5 billion rides in 2023
26
Vietnam's Hanoi bus system 400 million passengers in 2023
27
Philippines' MRT/LRT combined 200 million in 2023
28
US Amtrak carried 28.7 million passengers in FY2023
29
Global daily bus commuters estimated at 100 million in urban areas in 2023
30
London's Underground Tube 1.2 billion passengers in 2023/24
Interpretation
Passenger Volume and Usage Interpretation
While airlines get the glamorous headlines for moving hundreds of millions, the unglamorous, essential workhorses of ground transport—from buses and metros to rickshaws and rideshares—are the true titans, moving tens of billions and quietly stitching together the last mile of our global mobility.
More related reading
04 · Category
Safety and Regulatory27 stats
01
In 2022, there were 5,887 fatal crashes involving large trucks in the US, resulting in 7,000 deaths
02
Global road traffic deaths reached 1.19 million in 2023, with trucks involved in 20%
03
EU recorded 18,000 road fatalities in 2022, buses and coaches 5% of them
04
India's road accidents totaled 460,000 in 2022, with 168,000 deaths, 40% involving trucks
05
US rail incidents 1,900 derailments in 2023
06
China's road freight safety compliance rate 95% in 2023 audits
07
Brazil's truck accident rate 15 per million km in 2023
08
Australia's heavy vehicle fatality rate 8% of total road deaths in 2023
09
UK HGVs involved in 3% of fatal collisions, totaling 400 incidents in 2022
10
Japan's rail accident rate 0.1 per million train-km in 2023
11
Mexico's bus crashes caused 5,000 deaths in 2022
12
Germany's truck safety inspections rejected 8% of vehicles in 2023
13
Canada's truck fatality rate 25% of commercial vehicle deaths in 2023
14
France's rail safety trespass incidents 12,000 in 2023
15
South Africa's taxi violence incidents 500 in 2023
16
Russia's road freight accidents 50,000 in 2023
17
Italy's bus safety compliance 92% in EU audits 2023
18
Turkey's rail level crossing accidents 100 in 2023
19
Poland's truck overload fines 20,000 in 2023
20
Spain's AVE high-speed rail zero fatalities since 1992
21
Indonesia's bus accidents 10,000 in 2023
22
Sweden's Vision Zero road deaths under 200 in 2023, trucks 10%
23
Thailand's truck crash rate 20% of total accidents
24
US FMCSA hours-of-service violations 150,000 in 2023
25
Netherlands' rail safety incidents down 15% to 500 in 2023
26
Global truck driver fatigue-related crashes 20%
27
US bus occupant fatalities 200 in 2022
Interpretation
Safety and Regulatory Interpretation
The data paints a grim but nuanced picture: while global roads remain a perilous ballet of steel and fatigue—with trucks starring in a tragically high share of fatalities—some nations prove safety is possible with strict enforcement and a cultural commitment to it, even as others grapple with staggering numbers that underscore the human cost of moving the world.
05 · Category
Sustainability and Technology28 stats
01
Ground transport CO2 emissions totaled 6.5 Gt in 2023, 15% of global total
02
US trucking fleet average fuel efficiency 6.5 mpg in 2023
03
EU rail freight modal share targeted 30% by 2030 to cut emissions
04
Global electric truck sales 100,000 units in 2023, up 50% YoY
05
China's BYD electric buses 50,000 delivered in 2023
06
US public transit electrification 5,000 buses by 2025 goal
07
Global autonomous trucking pilots reduced emissions 20% in tests 2023
08
India's CNG bus fleet 20,000 in 2023, cutting 1 million tons CO2
09
Europe's hydrogen rail projects 10 operational by 2030
10
US truck platooning tech saved 10% fuel in 2023 trials
11
Global bus rapid transit systems span 7,000 km, reducing emissions 30%
12
Japan's hyperloop ground tech feasibility studies for 2030s
13
Brazil's biofuel truck mandates cut diesel use 15% in 2023
14
Australia's electric freight corridor pilots 50 trucks in 2023
15
UK's zero-emission bus funding £2 billion for 10,000 vehicles by 2030
16
Global telematics in trucking 40% adoption, optimizing routes 15% fuel savings
17
Canada's rail electrification 20% of network by 2050 plan
18
Germany's eHighway truck overhead lines 10 km tested 2023
19
Mexico's urban rail green energy 50% in 2023
20
France's TGV low-carbon footprint 10g CO2 per passenger-km
21
South Korea's KTX electric rail 95% renewable energy share
22
Global freight digital twins reduce logistics emissions 12%
23
Italy's smart road tech for EV charging 1,000 km by 2025
24
Turkey's Marmaray underwater rail saves 500,000 tons CO2 yearly
25
Poland's hydrogen bus fleet 100 units in 2023 trials
26
Spain's solar-powered rail stations 200 in 2023
27
Indonesia's BRT electrification 500 buses planned 2024
28
Sweden's fossil-free freight corridor Stockholm-Gothenburg 2023
Interpretation
Sustainability and Technology Interpretation
While ground transport is still a heavyweight champion of emissions at 6.5 Gt annually, the global fleet is scrambling for a cleverer, electrified, and occasionally platooning diet, proving that the road to decarbonization, though paved with 6.5 mpg realities, is being traveled by an impressively eclectic convoy of solutions.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Ground Transportation Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/ground-transportation-industry-statistics
MLA
David Kowalski. "Ground Transportation Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/ground-transportation-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Kowalski. 2026. "Ground Transportation Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/ground-transportation-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
100 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level