Bus and coach registrations rise 13.5 per cent in September

SMMT figures show that bus and coach registrations were up 13.5 per cent to 1,036 units in September. However, registrations for the overall bus and coach market remain down 12.8 per cent for the year-to-date.

Looking at the different sectors, purpose-built buses grew strongly in September, rising 46.4 per cent, but remained down 13.7 per cent over the year so far. September registrations were up 11.1 per cent for coaches that were purpose-built and 15.1 per cent over the year-to-date. Taking these figures together, purpose-built bus and coach registrations increased 40.2 per cent to 429 in the month.

“September was the second successive month of growth for the bus and coach sector, with purpose built buses and coaches recording a rise of more than 40 per cent. While the market is down in comparison with 2012 – given the substantial boost the London Olympics gave to this sector – it is encouraging to see recent monthly rises,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. “If this rate of recovery continues, we could see volumes for the sector level-off by the end of the year.”