- UK bus and coach market rises 14.2% in Q3 2016, with 2,326 new vehicles registered.
- Demand for double-decks drives growth, up 31.9% against Q3 2015.
- Demand in 2016 remains positive with the overall market growing 9.1% to 6,771 units.
The new bus and coach market grew 14.2% in the third quarter of 2016, with more than 2,300 new vehicles registered, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Demand for double-decks drove the growth, with an uplift of 31.9%, while minibus and single-deck registrations also grew, by 14.1% and 4.2% respectively.
Year-to-date figures paint a similar picture, with double-deck demand rising 21.6% in the first nine months of 2016. Minibus registrations are also ahead, up 11.0% on the same period in 2015, while demand for single-decks remains level, down -0.8%.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said,
Following significant growth in the bus and coach market last year, it's good to see demand grow again in the third quarter. However, for this sustained demand to continue, fleet operators must have certainty to invest. Urgent clarity on the details of the potentially market-changing Bus Services Bill and its measures to devolve bus franchising to local authorities is now needed.
