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Microlesson · 5-min read

Classification of Costs in Transport Industry

# Classification of Costs in the Transport Industry

In the transport industry, costs are classified into three categories based on their behaviour with respect to the level of activity (kms run, trips made etc.).

## Variable Costs

These vary directly with the kms run or trips made.

  • Diesel / Fuel
  • Toll Tax
  • Lubricant
  • Wages to driver (if paid per trip/km)
  • Passenger tax
  • Depreciation (if calculated on usage basis i.e. on km basis)

## Semi-Variable Costs

These have both a fixed and variable component.

  • Tyres
  • Tools
  • Repairs & Maintenance

## Fixed Costs

These remain constant regardless of kms run.

  • Salary of driver (if paid fixed monthly)
  • Insurance
  • Rent
  • Office expenses
  • Taxes
  • Licence Fees
  • Administration fees
  • Garage Fees
  • Electricity
  • Loading / unloading expenses
  • Gas
  • Technical Fee

## Important Note on Depreciation

Depreciation can be either fixed or variable:

  • Fixed — if calculated on time basis (e.g., straight line method per year)
  • Variable — if calculated on usage basis (e.g., per km basis)

Read the question carefully to determine the basis.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Treating driver's salary as variable when it is actually fixed monthly
  • Treating depreciation always as fixed — it can be variable if based on km usage
  • Ignoring the semi-variable category and forcing every cost into fixed or variable only
Reference:
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