Bus and coach registration figures have grown.

The number of new buses, coaches and minibuses joining Britain’s roads rose by 61.7% to 1,826 units in the second quarter of 2024, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The Society claims the continued rise in year-on-year demand since the start of 2023 reflects the gradual return of operator confidence following a period of sharp decline during the pandemic. It notes the recent growth owes a large part to government measures to stimulate demand, notably though the Bus Fare Cap Grant.

Driven by minibuses

Growth in the quarter was driven by a doubling in demand for new minibuses, up 97.2% with 903 vehicles. Deliveries of new double-deckers also grew two-fold, up 100.5% to 387 units while new single-deck bus uptake rose by 12.1%.

Every UK nation except Scotland saw growth, with fleet renewal in England up 69.6% to 1,557 units while demand in Northern Ireland rose by 54.8% to 48 units. The largest increase was in Wales, with rollout up more than seven-fold to 116 units after just 12 were registered during Q2 last year. Conversely, uptake in Scotland fell by 36% to 105 units compared with a particularly strong Q2 last year.

More zero-emission vehicles

More operators also made the switch to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) with new registrations of the latest, greenest buses up by a third (36.3%) to 424 units during Q2 2024. As a result, the UK continues to sit at the very front of the European green bus transition as the largest ZEV bus market by volume in Europe, followed by Italy, Germany and France. SMMT highlights net-zero commitments from government have been crucial, including England’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area funding and the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund – helping almost a quarter (23.2%) of all new vehicle purchases to decarbonise in the first half of 2024.

SMMT believes the UK’s bus fleet could reach net-zero before any other vehicle sector, aided by there being less complexities in its transition due to their depot-based, circular and consistent routes.

“A boost in uptake of new buses which provide mass mobility across the nation is also a boost for our economy and society” – Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “A boost in uptake of new buses which provide mass mobility across the nation is also a boost for our economy and society, given the vital role these vehicles play – from commuting and staycations to transport for schools, charities and health and social care. At the same time, fleets continue to go green in rising numbers and, with suitably ambitious incentives and infrastructure is in place, buses and the communities which depend on them could be the UK’s first to reach net-zero.”