March registrations are a ‘positive sign’

Bus and coach registrations increased for a third consecutive month in March, rising 15%. There were 1,187 registrations made, leading to a rolling year total of 7,794, up 2% from the same figure last year. SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said, ‘As the third consecutive month of growth, March’s 15% increase is a positive sign for the future of the bus and coach sector. Continued economic confidence has driven a 73.2% boom in both purpose-built markets, as operators update their fleets and take advantage of March’s number plate change.’
Purpose built bus registrations totalled 340, rising 111.2% from the same month in 2014, making for a rolling year figure of 2,900, up 11.1%. There were 223 purpose built coaches, a 36% rise, making for a rolling year total of 926, up 8.8%. 624 converted buses were registered, up 15%, leading to a rolling year total of 7,794, up 2%.

Registrations by marque (with 2014’s figures in brackets) were: ADL 176 (32), Wrightbus 91 (42), Volvo Bus 78 (89), Mercedes-Benz (excluding Setra) 75 (16), Optare 38 (14), Scania 44 (59), VDL 14 (13), Irizar 14 (4), Van Hool 11 (17), Yutong 3 (0), MAN (excluding Neoplan) 8 (6), King Long 4 (3), Neoplan 3 (4), other imports 4 (6), Caetano 0 (0), Iris Bus 0 (0) and Setra 0 (20).