The number of new buses, coaches and minibuses joining UK roads grew by a third (36.1%) between July and September, according to new figures published today (14 November 2024) by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

During quarter three, 2,367 new registrations were made, completing six consecutive quarters of market growth. It reflects a gradual rise in passenger levels following historic lows during the pandemic, with ridership supported by the Bus Fare Cap Grant.

The third quarter growth was driven by all segments but the strongest demand was for new minibuses and single-deckers, up 38.4% and 36.4% to 1,486 and 461 units respectively. Deliveries of new double-deckers also rose by 28.4% to 420 units.

Registrations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were all up, by 37.3%, 103.7% and 162.5% respectively, while rollout in Scotland fell 21.8% compared with a bumper 2023 when demand more than doubled. England continued to take the lion’s share of the overall UK market, representing 87.9% of new registrations.

Zero-emission switch continues

More operators are continuing the switch to zero-emission buses (ZEBs), with new registrations rising by 48% to 484 units in the quarter. In the first nine months of the year, ZEBs accounted for 20.9% of all new bus, coach and minibus registrations, with 1,230 of the very greenest models joining the road. The change is being driven by manufacturer investment in the technology, with operators now able to choose from 15 electric and hydrogen models. The SMMT says government support remains crucial, however, given operators are challenged to find the upfront cost of investing in new ZEBs and depot infrastructure.

The SMMT says schemes such as Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) and Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge funding have underpinned bus decarbonisation so far but, due to onerous requirements and short-term windows for grant bidding, larger and urban operators – those with the most resources – are better placed to succeed. As a result, smaller and rural operators which tend to have tighter margins, lower ridership and longer routes risk being left behind, according to the organisation. As SMMT’s latest position paper ‘Next Stop, Net Zero: The Route To A Decarbonised UK Bus Market’ sets out, the sector would benefit from a long-term timetable to reach net zero.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “A year and a half of growth in the number of new buses, coaches and minibuses joining UK roads is good news for a sector still recovering from the pandemic. The latest zero emission bus technologies provide many benefits, from innovative safety and passenger features to better local air quality and carbon savings, so the next step is long-term support – particularly for smaller and rural operators – to deliver such benefits to communities across all parts of the country.”