Rail travel in Northern Ireland grew by 12% last year, according to the government's latest transport statistics.

The figures are detailed in the roads department's 2007-08 annual report, complied by the Central Statistics and Research Branch (CSRB) of the Department for Regional Development.

The report found that there were 1,008,289 vehicles licensed in Northern Ireland at 31 December 2007. Of these, 83% were Private Light Goods vehicles.

The most popular make of car in Northern Ireland in 2007 was Ford, with 12% of people in the Province choosing the manufacturer.

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Around 76.7 million tonnes of freight were lifted within Northern Ireland and transported by road by goods vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes in 2007.

From 2006-07 to 2007-08 the number of passenger journeys on Ulsterbus rose 1% from 43.4 million to 43.9 million. For Metro services, passenger journeys have increased 8% from 24.1 million to 26 million over the same time period.

During 2007-08 there were 9.5 million rail passenger journeys made, an increase of 12% from 2006-07.

Belfast International Airport was the 13th busiest commercial airport in the UK in 2007 and accounted for 2% of all UK terminal passengers.

During 2007-08, 806,483 tonnes of petroleum and diesel were delivered for use in Northern Ireland, 6% more than in 2006-07.

The data in the report is collated from a number of sources including the Driver and Vehicle Agency, Translink, the Civil Aviation Authority and Roads Service.

The full publication is available on the CSRB website at: www.drdni.gov.uk/index/statistics.htm

(PR/JM)