SINGAPORE : ComfortDelGro Corp says its full-year net profit rose 1.3 percent on year to some S$202 million.
The number was largely in line with expectations.
For the fourth quarter, ComfortDelGro earned S$49.3 million, up 1.2 percent on year.
The figure was boosted by its overseas operations.
But the transport operator has also warned that 2006 will be a challenging time due to high oil prices.
Looking ahead, the operator of the world's second largest fleet of taxis and buses expects increased bus and rail revenue.
This is because of the introduction of more services and more usage of its North East Line commuter rail network in Singapore.
Meanwhile, ComfortDelGro's unit SBS Transit has posted a 5.1 percent rise in full-year net profit to S$51.5 million.
In the final quarter, net profit surged 42.2 percent to S$13.6 million.
The company is expecting bus revenue to improve from the services introduced in the second half of 2005 and new services in 2006.
But it also expects higher depreciation expense because of the replacement of buses when they reach the end of their statutory lives. - CNA /ct