(RailAmerica issued the following news release on March 9.)
BOCA RATON, Fla. — RailAmerica, Inc. reported its freight carloads (including intermodal units) for the month ended February 29, 2004. Due to the sale of its Chilean railroad interest, results from that operation have been eliminated for both periods.
Consolidated Carloads
Consolidated carloads for February 2004 increased 13.9% to 113,120, from 99,276 in February 2003. On a “same railroad” basis, February 2004 carloads increased 8.6% to 107,772, from 99,209 in 2003. Year-to-date through February 29, 2004, total carloads were 228,534, up 11.8% from 204,496 in 2003. On a “same railroad” basis, year-to-date carloads increased 7.5% to 219,793, from 204,368 in 2003. “Same railroad” totals exclude carloads associated with railroads, or portions of railroads, sold or acquired by the Company after January 1, 2003.
North American Carloads
Total North American carloads for February 2004 were 95,506, up 11.7% from 85,532 in February 2003. On a “same railroad” basis, February 2004 carloads increased 5.5% to 90,158, from 85,465 in 2003. For the month of February, strong bridge traffic, agricultural & farm products, metals, and food product shipments were partially offset by lower lumber & forest products and intermodal carloads. Year-to-date through February 29, 2004, total North American carloads were 193,327, up 8.9% from 177,582 in 2003. On a “same railroad” basis, year-to-date carloads increased 4.0% to 184,586, from 177,454 in 2004.
Australian Carloads
For February 2004, Australian carloads were 17,614, up 28.2% from 13,744 in February 2003. Reflecting the impact of a strong grain harvest, Australian agricultural and farm product shipments more than doubled to 7,328 in February 2004 from 3,711 carloads in February 2003. Year-to-date through February 29, 2004, total Australian carloads were 35,207, up 30.8% from 26,914 in 2003.
Historically, the Company has found that carload information may be indicative of freight revenues on its railroads, but may not be indicative of total revenues, operating expenses, operating income or net income. Attached is a comparison of consolidated and segment carloads by commodity group for the month and year-to-date as of February 29, 2004 and February 28, 2003.
RailAmerica, Inc. (NYSE:RRA) is the world’s largest short line and regional railroad operator with 47 railroads operating approximately 15,000 miles in the United States, Canada, and Australia, including track access arrangements. The Company is a member of the Russell 2000(R) Index. Its website may be found at http://www.railamerica.com.