Marten Transport Ltd., Mondovi, Wis., said that for the third quarter of 2006, operating revenue increased 14.1 percent to $135.8 million from $119.1 million for the 2005 quarter.

For the nine-month period of 2006, operating revenue increased 15.7 percent to $387.2 million from $334.8 million for the 2005 period. Operating revenue included fuel surcharges of $22.5 million and $59.5 million for the third quarter and nine- month period of 2006, compared with $15.7 million and $38.1 million for the third quarter and nine-month period of 2005. The company's revenue, before fuel surcharges, increased 9.6 percent over the 2005 quarter and 10.5 percent over the 2005 nine-month period.
For the third quarter of 2006, net income increased 5.7 percent, to $6.7 million from $6.4 million for the 2005 quarter. Net income per diluted share for the third quarter increased to 31 cents from 29 cents for the 2005 quarter. For the nine-month period of 2006, net income increased 7.7 percent, to $19.3 million from $18.0 million for the 2005 period. Net income per diluted share increased to 88 cents from 82 cents for the 2005 nine-month period.
"The third quarter of 2006 marked the 15th consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in earnings for Marten Transport,” said Randolph L. Marten, chairman, president and CEO. “Our team delivered another quarter of solid results, despite a generally acknowledged slowdown in freight volumes, high diesel prices, and fierce competition for drivers. Our operating ratio for the quarter was a respectable 91.4 percent, or 89.7 percent netting fuel surcharges against fuel expense, as many of our peers do.”