The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The 5th edition of Annual Info-comm and Transport Statistical Bulletin 2014 states that the number of vehicles in the country has increased by 0.71 %, whereas the number of taxis has declined by 3.04% during 2012 to 2013.
The bulletin also reveals that although there is a temporary prohibition on import of vehicles, however, 477 new vehicles were imported in 2013.
The total number of taxis in the country has decreased by about 3% in 2013 or by 163 numbers compared to 2012. The number of taxis was reported at 5,191 in 2013 as compared to 5,354 in 2012. Gelephu region saw the maximum drop in the number of taxis in the country by 6.9% followed by Samdrupjongkhar, Thimphu and Phuentsholing region respectively, the statistical bulletin states.
The number of vehicles in the country stood at 67,926 in 2013 and 67,449 in 2012. The average annual growth rate of 11 % was recorded from 2001 to 2011, but with the import of vehicles prohibited since March 2012, it saw growth rate decreased to 7.6% in 2012 and 0.71% in 2013. The highest recorded growth rate was reported in 2011 at 17.5%.
In 2013, the bulletin states that due to the many hydropower project construction, the heavy vehicles import saw an increase of 1.2 % which is 101 new vehicles totaling to 8,544 and medium vehicles increase by 1.3 % as compared to 2012, thereby, adding 17 new vehicles and taking the number to 1,347.
The number of light vehicles import stood at 342 during last year, showing increase of 0.9% from 2012 taking the total to 39,596. As for two-wheelers, 11 new ones were added in 2013 increasing by 0.1% and total number of two-wheelers in the country is at 9,750.
In terms of regional vehicle distribution, 53.2% of total vehicles are registered under Thimphu region ( Thimphu, Paro, Haa, Wangdue, Puakha and Gasa) in 2013 as compared to 53.3% in 2012. It is reported that Thimphu region in 2013 had 36,130 vehicles, and there were 35,965 vehicles registered in 2012.
The Phuentsholing region (Chhukha and Samtse) has 36.2% of total vehicles registered. In 2013, the region recorded the vehicle numbers at 24,578 and 24,416 in 2012.
The Gelephu region (Gelephu, Zhemgang, Trongsa, Bumthang, Tsirang and Dagana) has 4.7 % of total vehicles registered in 2013 as compared to 4.6% in 2012 with 3,172 vehicles in 2013 and 3,102 in 2012.
The SamdrupJongkhar region (Samdrupjongkar, Pema Gatshel, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Monggar and Lhuentse) has 5.96 % of total vehicles registered with 4,046 last year and 3,966 in 2012.
In terms of ownership, about 8.5% (increase of 0.1% from 2012) of the total vehicles are registered in the name of government agencies (excluding vehicles owned by armed forces) and public sector corporations, 91.3% (decrease of 0.1% from 2012) by private organizations or individuals and the remaining 0.17% in the name of diplomatic missions and the BHT cars, states the bulletin.
The vehicle owned by government and public sector corporations was recorded at 5,772 last year an increase from 5,669 in 2012. The power tiller and tractor owned by the government started in 2006 with 3 power tillers and 69 tractors, the bulletin states.
The vehicle owned by private organizations or individuals was reported at 62,036 last year and was 61,640 in 2012. The purchase of power tiller and tractor by private or individuals started in 2006 with 76 power tillers and 40 tractors.
As recorded until December last year, the government and public sector corporations had 1,176 heavy vehicles, 226 medium vehicles, 2,510 light vehicles, 1,463 two-wheelers, 58 power tillers, 89 tractors, 250 earth moving equipment.
The bulletin states that the private organizations or individuals own 7,368 heavy vehicles, 1,121 medium, 36,973 light, 8,282 two wheelers, 1,151 power tillers, 229 tractors, 1,721 earth moving equipment and 5,191 taxis.
The highest number of motor vehicles crashes was recorded in 2011, as well the highest motor-related death cases at 104 and cases of injury at 623. The lowest number of such motor mishaps was recorded in 2007. The lowest number of injured was recorded in 2005 at 247. Last year, the number of motor vehicle crashes was reported at 1,023 with 59 deaths and 601 cases of injury.
