August’s ‘amazing’ growth

Bus and coach registrations were 97.9% up from the same figure last August, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). There were 469 bus and coach registrations made in the month, leading to a rolling year figure of 8,312, up 8.1% from the total at this time in 2014.

SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said, ‘The bus and coach market enjoyed amazing year-on-year growth in August, with new registrations almost doubling to 469 units. The significant growth in the bus segment, with big purpose-built single-deckers and double-deck vehicles posting significant increases, is encouraging and contrasts with the depressed August of 2014. However, ongoing uncertainty pending the government’s spending review and the outcome of the Buses Bill means that continued growth is far from assured.’

Purpose built bus registrations numbered 174, a 194.9% increase from the same month in 2014. This resulted in a rolling year figure of 2,843, representing a 7.2% rise. Purpose built coaches totalled 17, making for a 56.4% decrease and a rolling year total of 963, up 9.6%. A 100% rise was seen in converted bus registrations, with 278 registered, increasing the rolling year figure 8.3% to 4,506.

August registrations by marque (August 2015 figures in brackets) were: ADL 70 (27), Wrightbus 49 (4), Volvo Bus 40 (9), Mercedes-Benz (excluding Setra) 8 (1), Optare 5 (24), Scania 10 (4), VDL 3 (3), Irizar 3 (8), Van Hool 0 (11), Yutong 0 (0), Neoplan 0 (0), MAN (excluding Neoplan) 2 (0), other imports 0 (0), King Long 0 (4), TAM 1 (0), Setra 0 (0), Caetano 0 (0) and Iris Bus 0 (3).

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